The Winning Heart: 7 Heart Expressions to Become a Winner on the Field and in LifeSample

Heart Expression Six: Treasure

Every team has one goal every season, to win the championship. When a team wins the championship, there is always a trophy celebration for the team to receive its prize. The winning players take turns holding and kissing the trophy. It’s a magical moment for these teams. All the hard work and sacrifice have paid off in this moment. The trophy is the team’s prize possession, their treasure.

Off the field, every person pursues a treasure. We all have a desire to obtain the very best for our lives. Everyone’s treasure looks different, but they all represent the significance and reward we all want. Our treasures can be our bank account, house, family, job, accomplishments, cars, etc. No matter what treasure we pursue, we need to put our treasure in proper perspective. Our pursuit of life’s treasure reveals much about our hearts and what matters most to us.

Jesus says in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Jesus instructs us to focus on treasure that will have an eternal impact. To illustrate this, take a moment to think about a rope the length of a sports field. Red tape is on the first 3 inches of the rope. This red tape represents your time on earth, and the rest of the rope represents your life for the rest of eternity. Every treasure you obtain on earth ends at the end of the red tape, while the eternal treasure you have will last through eternity. Jesus wants us to focus on the eternal portion of the rope.

We gain eternal treasure by using our gifts and possessions to serve others. Jesus commands us to love others because He wants us to love with an eternal impact and perspective. Earthly treasure eventually turns to rust and disappears, but we can shift our hearts to use earthly treasures to serve others for an eternal purpose. When you serve others, you impact others, and they experience God’s love. You build a legacy that goes beyond your life. You know our hearts pursue eternal treasures when we do two actions: 1) Recognize that God gives you all your treasure, and our role is to manage it for His eternal purposes. 2) Pray, think, and use your treasure to serve others.

Final Thoughts:

What are some of your favorite treasures on earth?

Why do they mean so much to you?

What earthly treasure has God given you that you can use to serve others?

How can you use your earthly treasures to serve others this week?