JESUS SPEAKING

Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination to God.” (Luke 16: 14 – 15)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Jesus chastised the Jewish leaders for loving money more than God. Outwardly they appeared religious, but inwardly their hearts were full of idolatry and greed. Jesus proclaims that what is highly esteemed among men (gold, silver, material possessions, power, etc.) are in direct opposition to what God values. The virtues of the heart, which are priceless to the Lord, include things such as truth, justice, mercy, love, faithfulness, obedience and righteousness. Chasing after what is highly esteemed among men will inevitably lead to sin (Note: Some material wealth can be the result of genuinely serving God.)

When I was in high school, many years before my conversion, my friends and I entered a basketball tournament. Because we had lost in previous years, we became convinced that everyone was cheating, by lying on the entry forms about their level of experience. And so we devised a scheme to lie on our forms as well. In turn, we were placed in a lower division and we easily won the championship, thus attaining those coveted trophies for ourselves. Afterward, some of my friends felt convicted and threw their trophies away, but I refused. I packed the trophy away in my things from high school. Many years later, while visiting my home town, I went through some of my old things and discovered the trophy. Having become a Christian I saw that valuable trophy for what it truly was; a worthless object that had been obtained through deception. I immediately tossed it into the garbage where it belonged.

When we chase after things that are not valuable to God, our hearts can become divided, compromised, and distant from the Lord. The carnal pursuits of this life will draw our eyes away from what is truly important to God. But if we remain focused on what is pleasing to the Lord, we can serve Him with our whole hearts and know unending joy.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we praise You for every provision and kindness You have bestowed upon us. We desire to know You and to pursue those things that are valuable in Your sight. Grant us the strength to submit to selfless living as we serve others with gratitude and humility. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen.” God bless all of you!