Choose Your Treasures Wisely

February 11, 2016

Opening Hymns:
532 Jesus Priceless Treasure http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh532.sht

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
6:1 "Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

6:2 "So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

6:3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

6:4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

6:5 "And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

6:6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

6:16 "And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

6:17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,

6:18 so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal;

6:20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.

6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Message:    

     The scripture for today cautions us against seeking earthly rewards. We should not boast of the good deeds we do, how much we pray, how much we fast, or how much we give. We shouldn’t put our heart on earthly possessions either! My favorite quote from this scripture is “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What do you treasure? What is it that you are seeking?

      As a nurse, I’ve noticed some of my peers who are working for the money. They do the job at hand. They pass out the medications, and do the treatments well enough. But others I work with build friendships with each patient they work with. They are sad when the patient is sad, and so happy each step they make to recovery. Their heart is in the healing, not in the money. When we are passionate about something it shows. Our desires and goals make a difference on how we act out in our lives. Are we treasuring the right things in our lives? Are we treasuring things that will last?  

 

Time of Prayer
     Dear Lord, as we go through our week, let us focus our hearts on You. Give us the desire to spread Your love and kindness. Forgive us when we treasure the wrong things. Draw us back to You so that we can share and spread Your love. Amen.


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
672 God Be With You Till We Meet Again http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh672.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God