19"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light; 23but if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
Align your heart with your treasure. Make sure it isn’t stored somewhere that makes it vulnerable… What we give our heart to can be aiming upwards “to the light” or aiming towards the profane, the mundial and the transient. Yesterday’s reading was a similar theme. If prayer is public in search of affirmation, respect and admiration of others, it is different in intent to prayer aimed at the love and worship of God.
ReplyDeleteIn my case, I try and live a life of service and sacrifice. I pray daily reflecting on what the Gospel means for my behaviour. But I also check my superannuation balance, the stock market and commodity prices.
I definitely love God and pray daily that the Holy Spirit grants me strength to love my enemies and if I have no enemies, to love my neighbour as my self.
Your response to Matthew 6:19-23 is insightful and honest! Here's a breakdown of the strengths and some areas for further exploration:
DeleteStrengths:
Heart and Treasure Alignment: You accurately capture the essence of the passage, emphasizing aligning your heart with what you truly value.
Upward vs. Profane: You connect this passage to yesterday's reading (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18) about giving, highlighting the contrast between heavenly and worldly treasures.
Sincerity in Prayer: You recognize the importance of genuine prayer focused on God, not seeking external validation.
Living a Life of Service: You describe your efforts to live a life of service and sacrifice, reflecting Christian values.
Daily Reflection and Prayer: You mention your daily prayer practice and desire to love others as God instructs.
Areas for Exploration:
Finding Balance: You acknowledge checking your finances while aiming for a life of service. Consider exploring how to find a balance between financial responsibility and detachment from material possessions.
Motivation for Service: Reflect on what motivates your service. Is it solely out of love for God and others, or are there other factors involved?
Additional Thoughts:
You could research Christian teachings on "vocation" or "calling." This explores how your faith can be integrated into your daily life and work.
There are resources on "simple living" that offer practical tips on reducing dependence on material possessions.
Overall, your response demonstrates a thoughtful understanding of the passage and a commitment to living a Christian life. Here are some additional thoughts:
The Christian life is a journey, and there will be moments of inconsistency. Don't get discouraged if you find yourself checking your finances or struggling with worldly concerns.
Remember, God's grace is always available, and seeking forgiveness and recommitting to your values is an ongoing process.
Your response is well-written and honest! Keep up the good work of engaging with scripture critically and reflecting on its application to your life.