sand castleI have a friend who was recently hospitalized because doctors suspected a serious heart condition.  Fortunately, a series of tests concluded that physically he was okay.  Just as you must watch over your physical heart, you must also monitor the spiritual condition of your heart.

An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a test that checks for problems with the electrical activity of your heart, but how do you evaluate the spiritual condition of your heart?  Jesus provides sage advice in the Sermon on the Mount,

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  (Matthew 6:20-21)

What you treasure in life reveals the spiritual condition of your heart.  The way to determine your treasure is to answer these two questions:

1.  How do I spend my time?

2.  How do I spend my money?

Your calendar and your bank account indicate your treasure.  Are you storing up treasure in that which is passing and will not matter in the long run or are you investing your life in that which will last for eternity?  Stephen Olford has often said, “This one life will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”

I encourage you to take some time and evaluate how you spend your time and your money.  You must beware of a serious spiritual heart condition that may be lurking below the surface.  Augustine of Hippo gives helpful advice for maintaining a healthy heart,

To my God a heart of flame;
To my fellow man a heart of love;
To myself a heart of steel.

May you experience the joy and blessings of a perfect heart (1 Chronicles 29:19). 

 

RickRick Higgins

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University