What we value reveals the state of our heart.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34

At the memorial service for my friend’s dad, someone said to her, “Until I met your father, I didn’t know a person could have fun while helping others.” Her dad contributed his part in helping to build the kingdom of God through serving people, laughing and loving, and meeting strangers who became friends. 

When he died, he left a legacy of love. In contrast, my friend’s aunt—her father’s older sister—viewed her possessions as her legacy, spending her latter years worrying about who would protect her heirlooms and rare books.

In His teaching and by His example, Jesus warned His followers to avoid hoarding possessions, to give to the poor, and to value what will not rust or decay. “For where your treasure is,” Jesus said, “there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34).

We might think our things give meaning to our life. But when the latest gadget breaks or we misplace or lose something valuable, we begin to realize that it is our relationship with the Lord that satisfies and endures. It is our love and care for others that does not wither and fade away.

Let’s ask the Lord to help us see clearly what we value, to show us where our heart is, and to help us seek His kingdom above all (12:31).

What do you value? Read the story about the manna in the wilderness in Exodus 16. Consider how this story relates to Jesus’s words to the crowds in Luke 12.

我们所看重的，反映内心的光景。

因为，你们的财宝在哪里，你们的心也在那里。-路加福音12章34节

在朋友父亲的追思会中，有人对我朋友说：“我从来不知道有人会像你父亲这样，那么热心助人，且乐在其中。”朋友的父亲以爱心藉着欢声笑语服务他人、接待陌生人并与他们为友，尽本分参与建造上帝的国度，他留下的是一份爱的遗产。反观这位朋友的姑妈，她只将传家之宝和珍本书籍视为遗产，因此在她晚年的时候，一直在担忧日后谁能来保管她那些宝贝。

耶稣藉着祂的教导和榜样，警戒跟从祂的人不要为自己积存财物，反倒要周济穷人，要看重那不会锈蚀，也不会腐坏的财宝。耶稣说：“因为，你们的财宝在哪里，你们的心也在那里。”（路加福音12章34节）

或许，我们会认为拥有财物能让生活更有意义。但若是我们手中最新的科技产品损坏了，或是遗失了某些贵重物品，我们就会发现，惟有与主的关系才是永恒的，也才能带来满足。我们对他人付出的仁爱和关怀，才是不会朽坏的珍宝。

求主帮助我们，使我们能明白自己看重些什么，自己的心在何处，好让我们能寻求上帝的国度远胜过一切（12章31节） 。

你看重的是什么？请阅读出埃及记16章，关于上帝在旷野
赐下吗哪的记载。想想这与路加福音12章，
耶稣对众人所说的话有何关联。

Luke 12:22-34

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[a] 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

整理：于姊妹