Treasures in Heaven

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

My daughter is afraid of 'robbers.' We have never encountered any such thing, but she is always trying to close the garage door the minute we get home to keep them out. She even instructed me to close a drawer in the kitchen so these 'robbers' would not steal our kitchen towels.

As unfounded as her fear is, as long as we are a part of this world, Satan is waiting to steal from us around every turn. Sometimes we willingly comply with his effort. Giving in to temptation, we let our character and integrity slide. The most common way of doing this is when we give in to our flesh by storing up treasures here on earth. Necessities quickly spiral into exorbitant desires. I know every time I think about a new kitchen sink, my fantasy quickly turns into a complete remodeling of our house. It is easy to get wrapped up in life, in the day-to-day operations of being human. Part of this is God's design. In Genesis 2:15, God puts the newly formed Adam and Eve into His garden to work and take care of it. We were designed to be busy. But because of the fall we have become selfish, no longer working our 'gardens' to feed ourselves and our families, but to gain as much as we can. Everyone has a different tolerance for how much "stuff" is too much. Many people handle wealth with grace and generosity. Others cling to the little they have, hording whatever little they can. It often seems that people who go after the things of the world have more fun here on earth. Sometimes it seems that good people struggle more. But in the end, the people who are heaven-focused have a deep joy that no 'thing' can provide.

Having lots of stuff is not wrong (hey, I like it as much as the next person), but remember the warning in the verses above. Everything on earth is vulnerable to decay or thievery. Nothing we possess physically, not even our bodies, is permanent. They, too, are subject to decay. But the relationships we build, the people's lives we touch, are permanent. When we do good things, we have beautified heaven. We have stored up treasure there, where it will last forever. Do not be concerned with the things of this world, but take note of those things that will carry on into eternity. Make sure you store up treasure in heaven, where nothing can destroy it, where permanence, true joy and best of all, our Creator, await.

God, focus me heavenward, where no one can steal the joy that lies ahead. Take my focus off of the fleeting pleasures this world offers and let my eyes see how unsubstantial it is. Remind me that the relationships I build are more important than things. Amen.

Nikki Hamsher