Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

If there is anything rocking the world right now I would say it is the spirit of greed. Not in all places but especially in my country. Greed is what makes politicians corrupt. Greed is what destroys families. And worse? We find greed in our own heart.

We want comfort. We don’t want to be stressed by lack of finances. We want nice things. It doesn’t have to be lavish. But we want to be comfortable. And we want our pleasures in this life. Things that we do.

In and of themselves these aren’t bad. In fact, we could make the case that these are really good things and necessary.

But there’s danger in them as well. Remember how one of the seeds was choked out that was planted by God? It was choked out by “by life’s worries, riches and pleasures” (Luke 8:14).

How choked out are we today? Are we gasping for air? Or are we so choked out we don’t even realize it?

It’s not a call to give up everything and live the life of a poor person. But it is a warning. Be careful where you invest your heart. Where you invest your heart is where you invest your money, your time and all that God created valuable.

And in this, we are all susceptible to stumbling.

Let’s have a gut check.