Scripture

Matthew 6:20-21 NLT

Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Consider

Who are the people you treasure most in your life? You’ll find your deepest hopes and fears most evident in those relationships.

Loving others is risky business. We invest ourselves in our love relationships hoping for a high rate of return. In looking to others to fulfill our needs, however, we expose our soft underbelly and open ourselves to the possibility of being disappointed and hurt. Inevitably, our treasured ones will fail to meet our expectations, and we may end up feeling betrayed, angry, and resentful.

The solution? Store your treasures in heaven. Jesus reminds us that everything earthly is imperfect and corruptible. Everything—and everyone—will eventually disappoint. Only God is wholly dependable, good, and committed to our well-being. In fact, before we even ask, God is ready with a plan to satisfy our deepest longings.

When we cherish intimacy with God as our supreme Treasure and trust God with our deepest vulnerabilities, then we can let go of those impossible expectations we put on others to meet all of our needs all of the time We can accept with grace human failings and flaws and forgive offenses that might otherwise derail even our most committed relationships.

Pray

Forgiving Father, you know the needs of my heart better than anyone. I confess to resenting others, especially those I love best, when they cannot or will not give me what I crave. As I admit my own failings and flaws, give me grace to accept similar shortcomings in others. Teach me how to look to You alone for perfect love that can heal my heart wounds and satisfy my deepest yearnings.

Reflect

Psalm 27:1; Matthew 6:8; Colossians 3:13

Ponder

How might making God my supreme Treasure ease a relationship in my life?