Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer (Psalm 19:14).

Where your treasure is there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).

In one of his devotionals, David Jeremiah writes about an ancient parable, “The monkey’s fist.” (Walking with God, p. 13). According to the parable, native tribes would hollow out their coconuts, fill them with bait, then tie them to trees to lure monkeys. When a monkey would reach into the coconut to grasp the bait, his hand would fit into the opening. However, he could not extract his fist once he grabbed the bait. Monkeys are apparently not too bright. Once they have the bait, they hold on for dear life. The result is one trapped monkey!

The lesson is clear. Yes, we need financial resources to survive in this world. Just don’t hold too tightly to money. It will entrap you. Jesus is our most precious treasure. Hold tightly to Him, and He will lead you both in this life and into eternity.

Father, help me get my priorities straight. Thank you for the material blessings I possess. Please help me to hold them loosely while I hold tightly to the real treasure, Jesus. In His name, I pray. Amen.