I was deeply grieved the other day when I heard several conversations between people in a local church. It was a church where the pastor and his family had been suffering great financial distress...several other families in the congregation were unemployed and literally hungry.

Yet, the main topic of conversation that week was the purchase of DVDs. Two individuals who could not "afford" to tithe consistently were planning to purchase these luxuries as soon as possible.

Hearing this, I couldn't help but think of what Jesus said: "...where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Luke 12:34). Where you put your money shows God where your heart REALLY is!

People say, "Sister Cerullo, I love God with all my heart," then tell me how they are kept awake by all the "needs" that are on their minds ,need of what?

God tells us, "You do not have because you do not ask. (Or) you do ask (God for them) and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is (when you get what you desire) to spend it in sensual pleasures" (James 4:2b-3, AMP).

Take a spiritual inventory tonight. Where does your checkbook show your heart is? When you stand before God, will the balance show you've invested primarily in selfish pleasures or will it show eternal investments...investments which will further His kingdom forever?

Dear Lord, show me what is really in my heart. Have I invested my resources for You? Can I honor You more? Father, help me make eternal investments. Guide and direct me to do Your will both spiritually and materially. Cleanse my heart of selfish wants and make me sensitive to the true needs. In Jesus' Name, Amen.