“For where your treasure is, there your heart 1 will be also.” – Luke 12:34

Jesus understands the struggles we are in. He knows when we are stressed out. He knows what is gnawing at our hearts because of relationships gone sour.

This verse and the few that precede it (22-33) form a great reality check, especially for those who are caught in a worry tunnel. 2 It is a call to put all things into perspective.

What your treasure is can be seen by what occupies your mind, captivates your heart, and is always on your lips. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Our treasure is what we think about and what we work for. We hope it will give us joy, peace, and fulfillment. Sometimes we get lost in our pursuit of the treasure. If we are following Jesus, the treasure is with us. The treasure is the very presence of God with us.

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” – John 15:4

The cultural choir shouts out: “Be successful. Be all you want to be.” So much of this hype is the promotion of image and not of substance. The gardeners’ dilemma is that the plant, with the best fertilizer, from the best seed, even bathed in bottled water will give forth only a beautiful flower. But, there will be no fruit. The verdict is that for all the great effort and special benefits, the flower will die with no seed. For where there is no fruit there is no seed.

Fruit comes from remaining in Christ. What does it mean to remain?

It means to stay. You do not wander off, saying to yourself, “I’ll only be gone a short while.” Remember the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).

It means to persist. You hang on when adversity blows against you and it would be easy to let go. You stick and endure, because there is nothing else that will give life. Remember Peter’s response to Jesus when many disciples left. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6)

It means to hold on and God promises He will not let go of you.

As you examine the fruit in your life, is there evidence to you of the presence of Christ?

 “The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions.” – Proverbs 12:27

This is a difficult proverb to translate and to understand. The proverb contrasts the slacker and the diligent man.

The lazy man goes out hunting for more game. What he has at home he is too lazy to prepare. He shoots his prey not for the need of food, but for the thrill of the kill, for sport, for play. “As the incorrigible starve spiritually in the midst of abundant teaching (10:21), the lazy starve physically in the midst of abundant food.” This may be a coping effort to avoid dealing with the hard personal issues he faces.

The diligent man knows what is sufficient for his needs. He is grateful for the Lord’s provision.

There are four qualities of the diligent man. (1) Planning. The diligent man prepares, he gathers the wisdom of others, he evaluates his costs and resources, and he is a steward of his time.

(2) Skill. He develops the physical, mental, and emotional tools to achieve success in his labor. He is continually learning and upgrading his skill.

(3) Strenuous Effort. He works hard giving the necessary time and focused energy to bring about the result.

(4) Patience. He prays, listens, and waits for the fruit of his labors. He knows that the Lord is the one who will bless his work.

“Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.” – Proverbs 12:24

“May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me.” – 2 Timothy 1: 16-17

Are you a refresher?

Paul commends Onesiphorus for his ministry of refreshing him and notes two qualities that made this exceptional. First, because Paul was in chains, it would be an embarrassment to have any contact with him. Second, Onesiphorus had to go the extra mile to locate Paul. This was not an act of convenience, but demanded the sacrifice of both time and the opinions of others.

What is the ministry of refreshing?

It is to come alongside with the intended purpose of bringing relief, renewal, peace, and comfort. It means to bring a cold glass of water to a friend who is laboring under very hot conditions. The friend is exhausted and ready to give up. This is an effort not to change the situation but to bring aid in the midst of the struggle.

How do you refresh another?

• It can be with a few words, a reminder of God’s love and faithfulness.
• It can be with an act of kindness, to assist them in their trials, or to provide a temporary oasis for refreshment, a time-out from the emotional onslaught.
• It can be your supportive presence as you listen to their pain and frustration.
• It can be with a gift of a flower, a card, or their favorite food. Acts that say I care for you. Be encouraged.

The ministry of refreshing is an act of love for another. The world will know the love we have for the brethren by the way we refresh one another.