Where Lies Your Treasure? Matt 6:21

"For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also." - Matt 6:21

There is a man who can recite every statistic for his favorite sports teams. He can recall anything you might ever want to know about the players, the games, the history, right down to where each of the players attended college. He is, in fact, so engrossed in his past-time that he has even festooned the walls of a spare room in his home with every manner of photograph and team memento and token until he has turned the room into a veritable shrine to his obsession. Yet he cannot recite the Ten Commandments.
At face value the man has committed no crime, except for the notion that he calls himself, "a Christian." And therein lies the problem. You see, aside from the monies spent to enshrine his obsession, his time - more precious than money - is frivolously wasted away on the endeavor. Time better spent doing what? Time better spent glorifying God.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism says that man’s end or chief purpose in life is to glorify God, not man nor any of countless other idols. The simple taking of pleasure in an ostensibly harmless mundane hobby is not sinful as long as it doesn’t become the "heart," or center or focus of our lives. That place must be reserved for God and no other.
The damage or sin comes from one’s total preoccupation and devotion to the earthly obsession. Such enthusiasm must be reserved for and directed toward God, and God alone. This kind of passion for earthly things is patently idolatrous and easily recognizable. You see, in his conversations and communications no matter where they start or go to they always inevitably return to his obsession. We have all heard the phrase, "Oh, so-and-so is worshiping at the altar of ___________." I intentionally left the last word blank because there are so many idols we could worship - money, sex, celebrity, cars, and the list goes on. Such behavior, even by carnal human standards displays a monomania that strains the closest bonds between family and friends who might not share the enthusiasm.
In the end, the shrine he has built and all it trappings, both physical and spiritual, fall away into dust. Only God and the things of God are eternal. Only God deserves our glorification.
Can you imagine, even for a moment, the excuse this man would give you if confronted with his singleness of mind and purpose as opposed to his relationship with God? It would be unfair of us to expect a plausible explanation.
"Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart (the center of your being), with all your soul (your very breath), and with all your mind (your understanding). This is the first and greatest commandment.’" - Matt 22:37 - 38
Where is your treasure? Where is your heart? Do you try to glorify God in all you do? Do you at least lean toward Him in your daily activity?
Our God is a jealous God and will not take second place to anything in our lives. He must be our primary and daily focus.
"Thou shalt have none other gods before Me." - Deuteronomy 5:7
God bless you and keep you.