What do you treasure? Is it your family, your career, your creature comforts, your pet, or your property? Maybe your prized possession is your signature look, some special skill, or the esteem others have for you. Are you focused on building your own personal empire, amassing a fortune, and enjoying the perks that come from your success? Jesus tells us, “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” (Matthew 6:21, Luke 12:34).

The question then becomes where is your heart? How we spend our time, money, and effort illustrates what we value the most. Jesus cautions us not to place our emphasis on worldly goods, but rather focus on heavenly treasures. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20).

When our lives are properly ordered toward God, He becomes our greatest treasure. A good steward makes a deliberate choice to serve God first above everything else. We intentionally desire to dedicate our resources toward pursuits that glorify Him and build His Kingdom. We use lesser treasures like money to preserve and grow greater treasures like faith. We prioritize supporting His Church because our values are aligned with each other. We recognize that everything we have is on loan from God, and we trust that He will provide for our care.

We consider our offertory and charitable donations as a small test of our faithfulness and stewardship. If we are wise in investing little things like money for the sake of our spiritual treasure, God rewards us with greater gifts. For our faithful commitment, we receive God’s blessing, grace, and imperishable inheritance. The largest monetary fortune is worth very little compared with God’s eternal sacrifice for and investment in us.

Jesus also warns us that we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13). If we are not careful, money and its acquisitions can become our master. “Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

This week, prayerfully consider if you are living your life with God as your most cherished treasure. Do you seek happiness from worldly pleasures or from the Lord? What gives purpose and meaning to your life? Are you making an intentional effort to give back to God with gratitude for everything He gives to you? Saint Thomas of Villanova remarks: “What great profit you gain from God when you are generous! You give a coin and receive a kingdom; you give bread from wheat and receive the Bread of Life; you give a transitory good and receive an everlasting one. You will receive it back, a hundred times more than you offered.”