What if I told you that giving money to good causes won’t necessarily change your heart?Many assume that if they invest their finances in the right places, their affections will follow. But what if the real issue isn’t where our money goes, but what we treasure most?The Words of Jesus: Treasure and the HeartIn His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers one of the most profound insights into money and the human heart:"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21)Many int...
What if I told you that giving money to good causes won’t necessarily change your heart?
Many assume that if they invest their finances in the right places, their affections will follow. But what if the real issue isn’t where our money goes, but what we treasure most?
The Words of Jesus: Treasure and the Heart
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers one of the most profound insights into money and the human heart:
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21)
Many interpret this to mean that if we direct our money toward good causes, such as ministries or charities, our hearts will naturally follow. And often, generosity does strengthen our connection to what we support. However, if money itself remains our treasure, even generous giving can leave our hearts tied to wealth rather than to God.
What if Jesus wasn’t just telling us to redirect our money but inviting us to reexamine what we treasure most? The real challenge isn’t simply choosing better causes; it’s choosing a better treasure. If our hearts cling to money, even when giving it away, we remain captive. But if we treasure God above all, our money will naturally reflect that devotion.
The Widow’s Offering: A Heart Aligned with God
Consider Jesus’ observation of the widow’s offering in Mark 12:
"And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny." (Mark 12:41–42)
The wealthy gave much more than the widow, but their giving didn’t free them from money’s grip. Their treasure was still rooted in their wealth.
Jesus exposes a similar heart issue when He rebukes the Pharisees in Matthew 23:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness." (Matthew 23:23)
The Pharisees gave meticulously, yet their hearts were enslaved to pride and status. Their giving wasn’t born from a love for God, but from a desire to maintain religious appearances.
True Freedom in Treasuring God
In contrast, the widow’s tiny offering flowed from deep trust and surrender to God. She gave not to be seen, but because her greatest treasure was the One standing before her. Jesus praised her, not for the amount she gave, but because her heart fully belonged to Him.
If giving alone could free us from money’s hold, the Pharisees would have been the most spiritually free people of their day. But they weren’t. True freedom comes not from giving more but from treasuring God most.
As Pastor John Piper puts it:
“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
How Do We Shift Our Hearts?
So, if the issue isn’t where we put our money but what we treasure, how do we shift our hearts?
- Recognize God as Your Greatest Treasure - Until God is our highest joy, we will always cling to lesser things.
- Seek First His Kingdom - When God’s Kingdom is our priority, everything else—including money—falls into place.
- View Money As A Tool, Not A Treasure - If we treasure God, we will steward it wisely without being controlled by it.
- Store Up Treasures in Heaven - This means prioritizing what truly lasts—growing in Christ, loving others, and living generously.
When our treasure is in God, our relationship with money changes. We give not to force our hearts to care, but because our desires are already aligned with what God cares about. We are freed from financial anxiety because our security is in God, not wealth (Matthew 6:25–34).
If money is our treasure, our hearts will forever remain enslaved to it, no matter how generously we give. But if we treasure God, our hearts will be free, and our relationship with money will reflect that reality.
The real question isn’t, “Where is my money going?” but “What do I treasure most?” Because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Partner with FaithFi
That’s the heart behind everything we do at FaithFi. We’re here to help people not just manage money wisely, but treasure God above all else—because when He’s our greatest treasure, everything changes.
If you believe in that mission, would you consider becoming a FaithFi partner?
With a gift of $35 a month or more or $400 a year, you’ll help more Christians find freedom in Christ through biblical financial wisdom. As a thank you, you’ll receive:
- Early access to all our studies and devotionals
- A subscription to our quarterly Faithful Steward magazine
- Access to the Pro Version of the FaithFi app
You can learn more and become a FaithFi Partner today at FaithFi.com/Partner.
On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:
- I would like to know if I can cash in a CD and gift the money to a family member without incurring a penalty. Also, would you feel guilty about drawing out some money from my 401(k) to buy myself a little gift instead of going into debt?
- I’ve paid tithe on the gross amount my whole life. Now that I’m retired and drawing Social Security, pension, and business income, I’m wondering if I should continue to tithe. Some people say it’s already been tithed, so why tithe it again?
- I want to sell my almost 70-year-old home and move into a senior residence that’s handicap accessible. I’m on Social Security Disability, and I was told that selling a home is considered income and will stop my disability benefits. Is this true?
- I heard you talk about the $19,000 gift limit per person per year. I want to know if the same limitations apply if I give to a 501(c)(3) organization and I’m not planning to claim it on my taxes.
- I would like to leave our paid-off house to my children if both my wife and I have passed. Should I get a will, put them on the deed, or establish a trust and incur the associated expense? Can I just put them on a deed, and when we pass, it goes to them?
Resources Mentioned:
- Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
- Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money (Pre-Order)
- Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
- Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
- Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)
- FaithFi App
Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.
