“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19–21)

Yesterday we talked about the urgency of learning to listen to God’s voice before the “night” comes. Today, we must face another pressing and important task in life: learning to choose God above all things. And make no mistake, this is not easy at all.

Our life on earth is a journey of returning to the Father’s house. It is a long journey that requires gradual preparation, and therefore we must set out early.

If we truly see our earthly life as preparation for eternal life, then the earlier we begin, the easier and better this journey will be. In order to learn to choose God above all things, we must learn to “let go.”

Choosing God is, in fact, a lifelong practice of learning to let go. We must take it step by step, beginning with letting go of material possessions. Only through repeated practice in our daily lives can we master this essential spiritual discipline.

If our ultimate goal and destination is heaven, then we must take this matter seriously. Time is not in our hands. Most people spend their entire lives accumulating things—whether tangible or intangible. They devote enormous amounts of time, money, and energy to acquiring possessions. Yet sadly, when the end of life comes, they are forced to relinquish everything in a brief, stressful, and often painful moment. To be separated from the possessions they cherish is like a knife piercing the heart, because when the time comes, everything will be forcibly “taken away.”

When we try to listen to God’s voice, the material possessions and wealth we hold often become a deafening “noise.” Why is this so?

Because they occupy our hearts. As Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) The spiritual “equation” is actually quite simple: the fewer worldly things we possess, the more space we have for God in our hearts.

Consider this: if you continually maintain a habit of accumulating worldly possessions, then as you grow older, the noise created by these attachments will grow louder, while God’s presence in your life becomes increasingly faint. When your life comes to an end, you may suddenly find yourself stripped of everything—and yet still far from your ultimate destination, the Father’s house. At that point, the journey home, even if not impossible, will become exceedingly difficult.

In contrast, let us look at the saints who chose the better part.

St. Francis of Assisi made a radical decision in his youth. Fixing his gaze on his ultimate destination, he stripped off his fine clothes, renounced his inheritance, and let go of all worldly security, choosing God alone. When he let go of everything, he instead received everything anew through God’s generous gifts.

When he laid down the world, he was left with God alone—and precisely because of this, he possessed everything!

In fact, St. Francis longed to go ever further in possessing God, desiring an unceasing union with Him.

Because his heart was not occupied by worldly things, he was able to find God everywhere: in nature, in animals, and in all created things.

This state of “finding God in all things” was of utmost importance to saints like St. Francis and St. Ignatius.

They desired that at every moment of their earthly pilgrimage, they might see, hear, and experience God. By remaining detached from worldly things, they greatly widened their spiritual channels, enabling themselves to receive God’s voice more fully.

Their sense of security was rooted entirely in the Father. Jesus Himself lived in this radical dependence. He acknowledged that “all that the Father has is mine,” (John 17:10) yet in this world He possessed nothing, even saying, “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Luke 9:58). Jesus shows us that the true security of a child does not rest on material things, but on the inexhaustible resources of the Father.

As we gradually let go of our attachments in life, we are set free from worldly bondage. We learn to rely completely on God’s word and His providence. Our Heavenly Father is a generous provider; when we count on Him completely, He will grant us all that we need—and even more!

Those who rely entirely on God, like Jesus, will have unique access to the Father’s Heart. And within the Father’s Heart, we will be able to hear His voice with perfect clarity.

This is the ultimate relationship we must begin to build with the Father while we still have time on this earth. Let us remember the tragic lesson of Judas, who chose the wrong path. For thirty pieces of silver—something fleeting—he gave up the Lord who could have been his ultimate eternal treasure. In the end, he lost everything. Today, let us make a different choice. Let us begin to practice “letting go,” so that in the end we may tightly embrace God.

Let us once again reflect carefully on the teaching of the Lord Jesus:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in or steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19–21)

Reflection

Which material possession or worldly security in my life produces the greatest “noise,” hindering my relationship with God? Am I willing to let it go?

What small and concrete act of “letting go” can I practice today to train my heart to choose God over worldly things?

How can I begin to “find God in all things,” so as to widen my channel to listen to His voice and deepen my ability to hear Him?

Today’s Prayer

Lord Jesus, I confess that my heart is often weighed down by the desire to accumulate worldly wealth. My attachment and greed for material things have become a deafening noise that makes it difficult for me to hear Your gentle voice.

Teach me to practice “letting go” throughout my life. Grant me the courage of St. Francis, that I may renounce what is unnecessary and rely solely on the Father’s providence as my true security.

Help me to find You in all things, and to encounter You every day and  everywhere. Lead me into the heart of the Father, that I may hear His voice clearly and be prepared for the glorious journey of my soul returning to my eternal home.

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