Prayer:
O Jesus, teach me to treasure heavenly riches.
Imagination:
Picture Jesus teaching His disciples to treasure heaven.
Context:
These sayings of Jesus have a common theme. He wants the disciples to have a singleness of purpose, totally serving God and not being distracted by earthly cares.
Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)
“Do not lay up earthly treasures for yourselves. Rust and moth corrode and thieves break in and steal. Instead, store up treasures in heaven where rust and moth do not corrode and thieves cannot break in and steal. Remember, where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The eye is the light of the body. If it is well, you will be in light. If the eye is evil, then you will be in darkness.
No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or love one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)
- Where is your treasure? On earth or in heaven?
- Why seek earthly treasures? Do they not fade?
- Have the right desires, and you will walk in light.
- Seek evil, and you walk in darkness.
- Do not try to serve two masters. Jesus says it is impossible.
- If you love Jesus, money will not be your master but your servant.
Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
- O Holy Spirit, show me my heart. What treasure do I seek, earthly or heavenly?
- O Lord, remove the attraction which earthly treasures have over me.
- O Jesus, you offer me heavenly treasures. These I will seek.
- Purify my desires. Then, I will walk in light.
- Do not let darkness enter my heart.
- O Jesus, why should I choose to serve any other master?
- I will no longer serve money. It cannot buy eternal life.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ I will ask myself, “Which master do I serve?”
+ I will store up heavenly treasures.
Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)
You cannot serve both God and money.