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Matthew 6:21

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

I must confess, I often switch the nouns around in that verse and had to look it up before I typed this to make sure I had it correct. Does the treasure follow the heart, or our heart our treasure?

A Christian mission agency where many of my friends are employed have been dramatically impacted by the economic situation. Between America's declining economy and jobs (resulting in a decline in donations) and the rise of the Euro and fall of the Dollar, financially things are looking grim. So dire in fact, that for the first time in the organization's fifty year history, they may actually have to "lay off" missionaries.

I've heard from two friends today directing attention to sites to help the people in Haiti. And no one disputes that Haiti's need is desperate.

We have so many people in our church who are financially struggling, and many of them through no fault of their own.

When I think about these things, and think about replacing the dog pen (which now has 3 holes in it and one warped pole), or signing up for a one day sewing class (which was reasonably priced), or shopping at a store that has a clearance sale going on (which is a great time to buy clothes), it makes me reflect on what is truly important. At what point do we concede that we've done enough and it's okay to do for ourselves, and when do we say that others needs are more important? All my life I've heard about sacrificial giving, but sometimes I think that Americans don't truly understand what it means.

What is my treasure and where is my heart?

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