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The kitchen is clean. Like, all the dishes were washed and put away, floor swept and mopped, trash taken out and a new bag replaced, pretty dish towel hanging on the stove, kind of clean.
Something was up.
This never happens.
Unless they want something.
Suspicion.
Questions.
What could it be? A new bike? They made a bad grade and don’t want to be grounded? They want to go to a friend’s house? It’s about that phone they’ve been wanting, I just know it…
Happen around your house, too?
And it might not just be the kids. Maybe it’s your husband who wants to go on a fishing trip with his buddies or he hasn’t told you yet about the new lawnmower he just bought or the new dog he’s headed to pick up.
It’s a wonderful gesture, but you’re aware of what’s really going on. You know their heart, the truth, there’s an ulterior motive.
But then again, you’ve probably done the same thing, right?
Luke 16:14-15 NIV
“The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.”
Jesus had just told the group that you cannot serve two masters – money and God. You may think you’re in control when it comes to money, but when it becomes your focus, it can soon take over. It promises power and recognition, position and prestige. But it will always fail. As Jesus spoke these words, immediately the Pharisees began to mock Him.
Why?
Because they loved money. They wanted people to think highly of them. They wanted power. They built their “religion” on these things and would stop at nothing to protect it.
That’s what was in their hearts.
And Jesus, like He always does, when straight to the heart.
They could try to justify it all they wanted to, put on a good front for the people, but it didn’t change things.
God doesn’t hate money. He hates when it takes the place of your love for Him. So replace the word money for anything that’s taking precedence over God. He hates that, too. They had abandoned the truth for something worldly. It was so powerful, it blinded them from even seeing how wrong it was.
Maybe we’re blind to these things, too.
Take a moment to evaluate your everyday life. Does what you say is the most important match with what your time and money go to? Could it be that we are just as bad as the Pharisees Jesus rebuked?
God knows our hearts.
And the beautiful thing is that He still loves us. He sees the dark truth within us and yet, He chooses to love and forgive us.
Cast away the idols. Turn to the Lord. He’s waiting for you.
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