Treasure

"Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them, and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." Matthew 6:19-21 

Kids have a special way of getting to the heart of the matter. Many years ago, while driving through an extremely affluent neighborhood, my daughter asked her mom, "Is that somebody's house?" "Yes it is," her mother replied. She then followed up very quickly with another question, "Mom, are we poor?" "No honey," her mom answered. "We're rich in everything that really matters."

I imagine Jesus smiling when he heard that conversation taking place. Jesus taught repeatedly to keep our eyes and attention on those things that are eternal - him, people, his word and his kingdom. Any God inspired investment into those is a long term gain for the investor, a really long term gain. The stuff of earth comes and goes, but our hearts are not troubled by that. Why? Those aren't our treasures.

Our hearts are desiring something today. What is it? What do you long for? What are you investing your time and energy in pursuit of? Who is truly at the heart of all your activity? Perhaps, your answers to those questions are challenged by Jesus' admonition here. I think it's time for all of us to spend more time sending ahead and less time chasing this old world's vanishing vapors. 


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