Word Radio

In a world where truth is often seen as elusive or unknowable, it’s important to hold firmly to the accuracy of God’s Word. On this episode of Know The Truth, Pastor Philip De Courcy continues our study of Joseph and makes a powerful case for the reliability of Scripture.

Some receive miracles—and others give their lives for a better resurrection.

What if I told you that giving money to good causes won’t necessarily change your heart?

Many assume that if they invest their finances in the right places, their affections will follow. But what if the real issue isn’t where our money goes, but what we treasure most?

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers one of the most profound insights into money and the human heart:

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21)

Many interpret this to mean that if we direct our money toward good causes, such as ministries or charities, our hearts will naturally follow. And often, generosity does strengthen our connection to what we support. However, if money itself remains our treasure, even generous giving can leave our hearts tied to wealth rather than to God.

What if Jesus wasn’t just telling us to redirect our money but inviting us to reexamine what we treasure most? The real challenge isn’t simply choosing better causes; it’s choosing a better treasure. If our hearts cling to money, even when giving it away, we remain captive. But if we treasure God above all, our money will naturally reflect that devotion.

Consider Jesus’ observation of the widow’s offering in Mark 12:

"And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny." (Mark 12:41–42)

The wealthy gave much more than the widow, but their giving didn’t free them from money’s grip. Their treasure was still rooted in their wealth.

Jesus exposes a similar heart issue when He rebukes the Pharisees in Matthew 23:

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness." (Matthew 23:23)

The Pharisees gave meticulously, yet their hearts were enslaved to pride and status. Their giving wasn’t born from a love for God, but from a desire to maintain religious appearances.

In contrast, the widow’s tiny offering flowed from deep trust and surrender to God. She gave not to be seen, but because her greatest treasure was the One standing before her. Jesus praised her, not for the amount she gave, but because her heart fully belonged to Him.

If giving alone could free us from money’s hold, the Pharisees would have been the most spiritually free people of their day. But they weren’t. True freedom comes not from giving more but from treasuring God most.

As Pastor John Piper puts it:

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”

So, if the issue isn’t where we put our money but what we treasure, how do we shift our hearts?

1. Recognize God as Your Greatest Treasure - Until God is our highest joy, we will always cling to lesser things.
2. Seek First His Kingdom - When God’s Kingdom is our priority, everything else—including money—falls into place.
3. View Money As A Tool, Not A Treasure - If we treasure God, we will steward it wisely without being controlled by it.
4. Store Up Treasures in Heaven - This means prioritizing what truly lasts—growing in Christ, loving others, and living generously.

When our treasure is in God, our relationship with money changes. We give not to force our hearts to care, but because our desires are already aligned with what God cares about. We are freed from financial anxiety because our security is in God, not wealth (Matthew 6:25–34).

If money is our treasure, our hearts will forever remain enslaved to it, no matter how generously we gi

On this episode of FamilyLife Today, hosted by Dave and Ann Wilson, we feature counselor David Thomas, author of "Raising Emotionally Strong Boys." The discussion focuses on understanding and managing the physicality and emotional intensity of boys, particularly through the lens of Ann’s story about neighborhood boys breaking wood on their foreheads. David shares insights from his 25 years at Daystar Counseling, emphasizing the need to create outlets for boys’ energy, such as a designated “space” for physical release. He introduces the ABCs of emotional development—coping, breathing, and naming feelings—explaining that boys often need to release energy before identifying emotions. The episode addresses common parenting mistakes, like excessive talk and emotion during discipline, and encourages narrating personal experiences to model emotional health. David’s podcast with Sissy Goff, "Raising Boys and Girls," is highlighted as a resource for parents.

Show Notes and Resources

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See what Joni has to say about long-term care here.

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God created each of us with love and intention – we’re made in His image! Professor Nancy Pearcey exposes the hidden hostility towards our bodies which undergirds many of today’s beliefs about sex, our bodies, and human rights.

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