I stared at the phone for hours. I needed money, and I hated calling my frugal dad to ask for help. After listening, in fact, he told me no. He was teaching me a lesson, and I was his student, a begrudging one. At the time – this was many years ago – I’d finished college and had a job. Thus, I felt worthy of Daddy’s help, confused and dejected when he turned me down. But why did he say no? What did he want me to learn? And, most importantly, what would I do next?
What I did was take a good, long look at my relationship – not with money, or even just with my Dad, but with God. How much did I crave Him? What was His worth in my life? Would I chase after money or “wealth” – or commit to know Him?
I’m reflecting on such questions today because I spoke with a family member recently about money. She wants more than she makes, she told me, and I could relate. For many years, I longed to earn more, more, more. “It’s a soul trap,” says renowned financial adviser Ron Blue, “and no person or culture is immune.”
Visiting in a mud hut with a Kenyan pastor, many years ago, Blue asked the man what his greatest hindrance to spreading the gospel was. Immediately, the man answered:
“Materialism.”
“What? How?” Blue asked.
“You see,” the pastor said, “if a man has a mud hut, he wants a stone hut. If he has a thatched roof, he wants a tin roof. If he has one room, he wants two rooms.”
Describing this exchange in his book, Never Enough? Three Keys to Financial Contentment, Blue noted that money “is a great revealer of the heart. If you give me your bank statement, I can pinpoint where you struggle and where you are free. I can identify your priorities and your goals. I can see what you love by looking at your checkbook.”
Then he quoted Jesus:
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21 (NIV)
That word treasure, as used in the Bible, has a curious meaning — sharing its root with the prefix “pre,” meaning to put before. What we treasure, we put before other things, valuing it more.
Treasure, in this way, means accumulated or stored up wealth, hoarded for use in the future.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy,
and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Matthew 6:20 (NIV)
When we do, our goals change. Then our priorities grow godly, our financial frustrations shift, and our hearts find freedom.
And that was the lesson my beloved dad wanted me to learn. No amount of money or thing I coveted could provide such contentment. My late Daddy, an accountant who had witnessed in others the ruin of money lust, had taught me as a child about the priceless gift of salvation. Now he wanted me to know my greatest treasure.
Not money, not things, not jewels, or geegaws. Treasure is not the bling or the bauble we may buy or crave during this “gift-giving” season. It’s not even our basic needs: shelter and food.
Our greatest treasure is God’s power within us. In Him, we’re enabled to do what He needs from us, telling a broken world about Christ. One of my favorite Scriptures paints a picture of that dynamic:
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power
is from God and not from us.
2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)
As written by the apostle Paul, this verse shows the irony of God’s power dwelling in our insufficient hearts. There it awaits us to call on Him to shore up our weakness with His strength.
In His great power, we then do greater works. We share His Good News, do His good ministries, love, forgive, and walk on water in faith — not coveting but sharing the glory of Christ.
When we feel weak to do these things, it’s time to go treasure hunting. Calling on His power, we do all He asks generously — not storing up things for ourselves. And paying the rent? Or other basic needs? His answer may surprise us: I’m all you need first, so share ME.
It’s a lesson worth considering during this glittering season. When shiny things draw us or money problems nag at us, let’s go treasure hunting. Then let’s share Him. My dad has been gone for decades now, but he wanted me to grasp this. That treasure isn’t an earthly thing and money alone isn’t “the answer.”
Instead, first, share from God — His love, His hope, and His promises. Then look what we discover: for all of us, He is more than enough.
Our greatest treasure is God’s power within us. -@PatriciaRaybon: Click To Tweet Leave a Comment
Patricia,
“I can see what you love by looking at your checkbook.” Ouch! I’m sure some toes feel stepped upon. What if we all had one less gift under our Christmas tree because we took that treasure and gave it to someone else who REALLY needed it – the orphan, the widow, the destitute? Materialism and the desire to have more “stuff” is a ploy of the enemy because if we constantly give to ourselves then there is no time, talent, or treasure to give to someone else who may need it more. I look to how simply Jesus lived. When He moved from town to town, it didn’t take Him days to pack up all His “stuff”. He was about people and relationships, not things and possessions. When we store up treasures in heaven we find freedom. The shackles of materialism and “keeping up with the Jones” are loosed. Your daddy was a wise man who, by withholding, taught you a valuable lesson. How much is enough? This Christmas lets be more about sharing our earthly treasure so that the moths don’t get it?! Wonderful post!!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Oh, dear Bev! You say it so well. This Christmas, let’s be about sharing our earthly treasures — and our God — with others. Amen. And one more thing, I wasn’t going to write about money for this month’s post, but your feedback tells me the topic is timely. Thank you so much, as always, for your encouraging and wise feedback! Blessings today, Patricia
Patricia,
Such truth & wisdom here. 1 Timothy 6:10 states: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” People tend to think they must have the latest & greatest of items. In so doing they work long hours & possibly two jobs. Just to have stuff. Ron Blue hit the nail on the head. Looking at one’s checkbook can quickly tell you what is important to them. Do they value Christ & His work or having stuff to show off? Satan is hard at work these days. Using all forms of advertising he is trying to lure us into thinking we need all this worldly stuff. At the same time he is taking our focus off Christ. This time of year is especially hard for some. Without a lot of money you can’t buy tons of gifts for people. That is alright. Christmas is more than just gifts. It is about a saving grace. A savior who left the splendor of Heaven to come down to sinful Earth. I feel it is high time we share our treasure with others. Shine Jesus’s light in this dark world. This year I’m getting a few gifts for people I love. I am also going to spread more of my Savior with this dark world.
Blessings 🙂
Amen, Beth! More of HIM. Less of our “stuff.” Thanks for your feedback and wisdom. Much appreciated during this beautiful Christmas season! Love and thanks, Patricia
Oh wow. This really makes me think! Thank you for the reminder; perfect timing.
Thank you so much, Julie. I’m grateful for your feedback. May He bless you well today! With kindest thanks, Patricia
A very timely devotion. Have a family member that has always had financial issues. They know Christ as their savior but can’t seem to get a handle on money. I too have had my issues but thankful that my true treasure is in Heaven.
Thank you so much, Carolyn. I hesitated writing about money for a Christmas post, but I know many people struggle — for many reasons. As He provides for our needs, may we share Him with all. He’s still our greatest treasure! With His peace and love today, Patricia
This is possibly the best time to write about money. The Christmas season is probably the one time of year that people go into debt, more than they can handle…and it is usually because they are trying to earn someone’s love. Thank you for sharing! Merry Christmas!
Yes, you are so right, Carolyn. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Patricia,
Doesn’t it show the value of a good lesson learned, that YEARS after your father pointed you to it, you not only remember it and were changed as a result, you’ve gone on to share its truth with others? As a mama, sometimes I’ve wanted to make things easy for my children, but what longterm good does that do for them? It’s so much better to let them struggle for good answers than dropping them in their lap.
God’s word is a treasure, as is HIs truth, and what you’ve shared with all of us is a gift. Thank you for pointing us to Christ in our seeking. <3
And also? I've never heard the word "geegaw" before--I had to look it up to know for sure what it meant :). That's kind of like when I use the word "surcie;" it's a wonderful word once you know it, and now that I know "gewgaw," I've got to find a reason to use it.
Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas, Robin Dance! And YOU are a treasure! Warmest thanks for your delightful feedback. (And for teaching me a new word — “surcie”! I’ve got to find a reason to use it, too!) Meantime, yes, I’m deeply grateful for everything my Dad taught me, especially that God is our All in All. More than enough! Thanks for your wonderful feedback and many blessings today! With His love, Patricia
Thank you, Patricia. We need to encourage each other with these truths again and again. The world is too much with us! And our enemy delights in turning worship of our Savior into worship of His counterfeit–lifeless things that glitter as if they carried light. Thank you for the gift of your words and your fellowship in following the true Light!
Thank you, wonderful Brenda! What a delight to hear from you here — and to glean from you. You put it so well: the world is too much with us! Seeking to lure us with “His counterfeit-lifeless things that glitter as if they carried light.” So well said. May God in His mercy save us from such empty nothingness, filling our broken jars of clay, instead, with His Light and power to serve! You do that so well! Warmest thanks for reaching out! With His joy, Patricia P.S. I pray the evening with Richard exceeded all expectations! Love and Merry Christmas!
I’m thankful for money to buy a treasure for The Lord. Our small group paid the debts of 6 families indentured for a lifetime to a brick factory in Pakistan gifted under Jesus’ name and His love. Isn’t it a joy to give Him birthday presents! But we can’t out-give Him.
Sharon, what a wonderful and generous gift! Talk about an amazing witness for our loving and generous God. Thanks so much for sharing from your story — and for closing with your beautiful reminder. We can’t out-give God! With His love and my warmest regards, Patricia
“Our greatest treasure is God’s power within us.” Oh, yes. Isn’t that the truth we all need to remember, to live out of every day? What a beautiful lesson your dad taught you, a life-giving legacy he left you. Thank you for sharing the timely reminder with us today. So good, my friend.
I appreciate you so much, dear Becky. Sincere thanks for your wonderful feedback on my Dad’s timeless lesson — that our greatest treasure is God’s power within. Let’s honor that truth every day! Blessings and a very Merry Christmas! With love and thanks, Patricia
Patricia, thank you for this timely post. A few years ago my word for the year was ‘enough’ and your words brought it back to mind today. God truly is our worthy treasure, always more than enough when He takes first place in our lives.
I’m grateful for your daddy’s wisdom that we got to benefit from today.
Blessings to you, this Advent season.
Marva, warmest thanks for your kind words — and for your beautiful wisdom. A “word for the year” sounds like such a smart way to focus on one key precept, letting it bless and lead for an entire year. I just may borrow that tactic! Blessings and warmest thanks for reaching out to share. I’m so grateful we connected! (With thanks to my Daddy!) Much peace to you and yours this beautiful season! Warmly, Patricia
Patricia, I’m sure you thank God for your Father and the lessons he taught you. Where would we be today if more parents would teach lessons in this way. I thank God for my parents, I didn’t always follow their teachings (I do now), or God’s teachings (I do now). Again, where would we be today had we followed God’s teaching earlier on in our lives. Well, I thank Him again because as long as we have breath we’re able to focus on Him and be obedient to His Word.
I thank God for you as well, your writings are always inspirational!
God bless you,
Carolyn Mutcherson
So well said, dear Carolyn. Yes, where would we be if we’d followed our earthly father’s lessons early in life — AND if we’d followed our Heavenly Father’s lessons? Your question is timely and vital for all of us, no matter our relationship with our dads. Offers opportunity for much food for thought. Thanks for weighing in and for sharing. You are much appreciated! Always, in fact. Sincere thanks for your feedback. With His peace and much love, Patricia