A large banking company here in the U.S. runs a commercial advertisement to market their credit card to consumers. The advertisement has been running for several years now, so the marketing plan has clearly been successful in generating new business. The tag line that closes the advertising message is “what’s in your wallet?”

My regular wallet has numerous cards in it. So many that I tend to tilt to the left when driving in the car. A bit like sitting on an orange but not quite. In my wallet I have two credit cards, two debit cards, driver’s license, AAA card, health insurance cards, and numerous cards for the “reward programs” of retailers frequently visited. Occasionally, even “cash.” Most of the cards are related to the exchange of goods or value between myself and others. Those earthly treasures that are bought, sold, consumed and accumulated in life.

But I got to thinking about changing that tagline and adding a word. What if it said, “What’s in your spiritual wallet?”  What might my spiritual wallet hold? Treasures given by God perhaps. And what might those be? For one, He has given me His Son, Jesus Christ.[i]   Secondly, His Holy Spirit.[ii] Eternal life for all who believe.[iii] The gift of the Holy Scriptures. [iv] …..That’s a pretty big wallet.

Yet God in His abundance continues to fill my spiritual wallet with more. The wonderful gift of my wife, Marian.[v] Three precious gifts in my daughters.[vi] Gifts to minister to the fellowship of believers in Christ.[vii] Gifts for life: to work, to provide and to be generous.[viii] Yes, my cup runneth over…….

But what about that regular wallet? Where does that fit in? A couple of men stopped by earlier this month and provided some advice on a statement Jesus had spoken: “The eye is the lamp of the body. If then your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is diseased, your whole body will be full of darkness.”[ix] What is the distinction between healthy or diseased eyes when it comes to earthly treasures? They proffered three recommendations in order for me keep my eyes healthy when working with earthly treasures. See them as 1) a tool; 2) a test given by God; and 3) a representation of my testimony for Christ. And being “wise men,” they provided support from God’s Word.[x] Wise men, indeed.

Living in a wealthy nation can challenge my eyes with respect to earthly treasures. Likely true wherever I may live. Will they stay healthy or become diseased? Jesus said that “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”[xi] May my eyes, my gratitude, my treasure remain focused on my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

What’s in your wallet?

[i] John 3:16

[ii] John 14:16-17

[iii] John 5:24

[iv] II Peter 1:20-21

[v] Proverbs 18:22

[vi] Psalm 127:3

[vii] Romans 12:3-8

[viii]Deuteronomy 8:17-18, Romans 8:32

[ix] Matthew 6:22-23 NB

[x] I Timothy 6:17-18, Matthew 25:14-30

[xi] Matthew 6:21 NB

Kirk Thomsen

Kirk Thomsen

Husband, Father and Disciplemaker

“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19