Open Hands, Open Hearts

When Jesus told His disciples that their heart would be wherever their treasure is, He was urging them to pursue God and His kingdom priorities beyond anything else. His kingdom is powered by love—God’s love for us, our love for Him, and our love for one another because of Christ’s love for us—and known for its joy. 

Jesus wanted His followers to uphold different standards so that God’s kingdom could come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give instead of get. Trust instead of worry. Bless instead of withhold. Value love over money. 

Having nice things has never been God’s issue. He delights in blessing us, and lavishes us with so many gifts each day, we can’t count them. He just doesn’t want the blessing to stop there. Neither does He want us treating anything with a short shelf life as valuable. He commands us to avoid attachments to what doesn’t last. His message is: “Hold everything of this earth loosely.” 

A great way to encourage such open hands is to give, frequently and generously. 

Two ideas come to mind. First, give up something each week. For years, our family has opted to individually forgo a small something, such as the purchase of a cup of coffee on Wednesdays or a toy when the kids were younger, and donate that money instead to someone who needs it. Second, let receiving prompt your giving. Every time an unexpected gift or a “goodness” (a paycheck, a favor, any kind of help) comes your way—find someone to whom you can forward a little of that joy. 

To both give and receive a gift, we must open up our hands. Our generous God has designed it to work that way. He loves to see His children open their hands to receive with gratitude and open their hands to lavish love on others. 

Open hands, open heart, adding joy upon joy. That’s heaven’s way. Let’s make it ours as well. 

Your heart will be where your treasure is. MATTHEW 6:21 NCV 

What a beautiful exchange You’ve created: all that I have is Yours, and all that You have is mine! So why is it so difficult for me to get past the momentary pleasure of a possession? Move in my heart to hold things loosely so I can freely receive all that You have for me and then offer Your gifts to others. 

Candace Cameron Bure 
100 Days of Joy & Strength 

Looking for more inspiration? You can find hope & encouragement in God’s Word every day with the new DaySpring Hope & Encouragement Bible now available on DaySpring.com!