Treasures of the Heart

David W Palmer

(Luke 2:16–19 ISV) So they (the shepherds) went quickly and found Mary and Joseph with the baby, who was lying in the feeding trough. {17} When they saw this, they repeated what they had been told about this child. {18} All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. {19} However, Mary continued to treasure all these things in her heart and to ponder them.

The extraordinary events surrounding Jesus’s birth must have seemed astounding to the young mum, Mary: angel visitations, virgin pregnancy, Elizabeth’s welcome and prophecies, Joseph’s willing and adoptive heart, an angel speaking to him in a dream—and now this: euphoric shepherds appearing late at night, supernaturally excited by seeing a baby in a manger. And then, having them rush throughout the area telling everyone about angelic visitations, a sign from God, and bragging on the humble surroundings of her baby’s birthplace. All of this would have overwhelmed her. After all, to Mary and Joseph, it was simply a stable—an inconvenient necessity because the inn couldn’t take them. But to these shepherds, it was a confirming sign from God of monumental significance—a euphoria-producing, divine visitation.

Mary—more than anyone else in this story—knew for sure that Jesus was God’s son. So when all of these fascinating events surrounded his birth, she continued to “treasure” all of these things “in her heart.” Mary went on to be a regular mum to many other children, but the extraordinary circumstances of Jesus’s birth were never far from her mind; she “thought about them often” (Luke 2:19 NLT).

Later, when he began his ministry, Jesus had some very important wisdom about what we treasure and where we treasure it:

(Matthew 6:19–21 DKJV) “Do not treasure up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust ruin them, and where thieves break in and steal them. (20) But treasure up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust ruin them, and where thieves do not break in or steal them. (21) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Jesus first tells us what not to treasure: “treasures on earth.” Then he clearly instructs us to treasure what is eternally valuable, and where to deposit it: “Treasure up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” This could refer to many things; but in context, Jesus was speaking about secret giving, praying, and fasting (See: Mat. 6:1–18).

In verse 21, our Lord gives us the reason for ensuring our treasure is in heaven, and not on earth: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” One way to ensure your heart is focused where it should be—heaven, Jesus, Father, Holy Spirit, eternity, etc.—is to keep your treasure there. According to Heb. 12:2, we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus; otherwise we will sink like Peter did, when he took his eyes off Jesus to look at the storm (See: Mat. 14:28–31). Keep your treasure with Jesus, and then you’ll have no problem keeping your heart and eyes focused on him.

Mary treasured in her heart the words and occurrences surrounding Jesus’s birth, and she pondered them often.

Jesus spoke again about what we treasure in our hearts:

(Matthew 12:34–37 DKJV) “… For out of that which fills and overflows from the heart the mouth speaks. A good man, out of the good treasure [collected in and overflowing from his heart], sends out good things; and an evil man out of the evil treasure sends out evil things. {36} And I say to you, that every idle, nonworking, unproductive word (rhema) that men say, they will give account for it in the Day of Judgment. {37} For by your words you will be shown to be justified, and by your words you will be condemned (pronounced guilty).”

In this sober warning, the Lord gives a very compelling reason why we should pay strict attention to what we treasure in our hearts. Mary’s heart’s treasure was focused on Jesus, words from God, the testimony of others, and the signs accompanying the living Word. What are you treasuring?

Jesus taught earnestly about the power of our words. And this passage certainly highlights the crucial importance of speaking words with which God agrees. He said, “By your words you will be shown to be justified” or “condemned.” Moreover, he warned that we will have to give account for every “idle, nonworking, unproductive word.” Thankfully, our wonderful Savior also showed us how to ensure with absolute certainty that our words will be operative, useful, and effective; he simply said to treasure up good things in our hearts.

Through the apostle Paul, the Holy Spirit exhorts us along this same line:

(Philippians 4:8 NLT) “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Today, let’s take a leaf out of Mary’s book; let’s treasure up things of eternal value. Our determination should be to deposit them with our Father in heaven, not to store them on earth. This way, our focus, our heart, and our eyes will be there also.

Let’s also treasure in our hearts the words, actions, dreams, and testimonies of God. Let’s ensure that we ponder on them day and night. This way, we will maintain a positive outlook, have our treasure in heaven, and guarantee that a steady stream of productive, faith-filled words overflow through our mouths:

(Joshua 1:8 NKJV) “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

(Psalm 1:1–3 NKJV) Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; {2} But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. {3} He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.