Redeeming “Your” Treasure (pt.1)

June 5, 2012 in Personal Finance with 4 Comments

In a few weeks I am giving a talk on the topic of Redeeming “Your” Treasure. Over the next three posts I am going to lay out the main points. Please give feedback so I can make it better.

Point #1: The heart is where it starts

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also- Luke 21:34

Everything starts with the heart: our relationships with our spouse, kids, and co-workers, how hard we work at our jobs, and the way we view and use money.

When you shake a water bottle, why does water come out? Your first inclination is probably to say water came out of the bottle because it was shaken. That would be wrong. The reason WATER came out of the WATER bottle is because the bottle had WATER IN it.

Let me take this  a step further…

Why do we express frustration toward our wives when they want to “talk” after we are half-a-sleep?
Why do we complain about bosses who make us work harder than they work themselves (by the way, not true with my boss)?
Why do we NEED new golf clubs but we don’t feel the need to give to those less fortunate?
Why do we HAVE TO watch a football game but don’t HAVE TO give our time to volunteer?

Other people don’t cause our actions. Circumstances don’t force us to make bad decisions.  What’s IN your heart determines your every thought, word, and deed. Paul Tripp puts it well, “Whatever commands your hope will control your heart and what controls your heart will direct your words and behavior.”

Is your hope in a secure retirement?
Is your hope in a new _______ (car, house, job)?
or
Is your hope in things that last an eternity?

For me, issues of money and the heart are subtle. For instance, when we bought our house I set the goal of paying off my mortgage by the time I am 40. Was that a bad goal? Not at all; I still have it! But when I set that goal it was because I wanted MY freedom to use MY money the way I wanted. The goal is commendable, the motive of my heart was not.

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life- Proverbs 4:32

Here are some good questions to ask yourself to check your Heart Account:

1. Next time you make a purchase, big or small, ask yourself: Why am I making this purchase? Is it to satisfy my own wants and desires? Or will the purchase allow you to serve God and others better?

2. Do you give to get recognition or out of sense of obligation? Or do you give out of humility and thankfulness for all you have been given?

3. When someone breaks, ruins, or loses one of your possessions, do you react with an understanding that in eternity that  item won’t matter?

4. Do you check your checking and investment accounts obsessively? Even daily? Could it be you are finding security and significance in the balance of those accounts?

 

Question: What other questions would be good to add to the Heart Account list?