June 19
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; Matthew 6:19
Surveillance cameras, security systems with alarms, deadbolt locks - all of these have become a familiar part of our lives. Fear of thievery has become so prevalent everywhere that we make every attempt to protect whatever we have; large or small it seems. Burglary is nothing new; it was common in Christ’s day. He was aware of that, as of all things. He also knew what was necessary for those He created to live fully, at that time as well as now. However He warns about “storing up” things that do not last. Yet, today we acquire material things at record speed, and need bigger spaces to put them in. We continue to think we are entitled to the latest item on the market and often go into debt to bring it home. We continue to fill our children’s lives with the newest of playthings and clothing because everyone else has them; all of this to the point of overflow and then we worry about how to keep all of it from being taken from us! We are over stretching our budgets and creating a selfish atmosphere blurring out the needs of others. How we need to keep a watchful eye on what we do and we need to ask ourselves what it is we’re actually searching for, in our effort to fill this longing within.
These days I have been going through our basement, attic and closets, to clear out what is not needed anymore. My motives are selfish really, for the older I am getting it is more manageable to have less. I am startled though, at how much we have accumulated over our many years of marriage. I would never have considered myself an over indulged person, yet I really am! I have kept things that were no longer needed. Some clothing sad to say, is now moth-eaten, no longer useable, as I held on to it thinking I might use someday. Clearing out is an eye opener of my own selfishness, so many of these things could have been used all along by someone else. And then there are those things that I consider my true treasures, the many gifts from family and friends - many made by little hands - the things that bring memories to life and swell my heart. It disturbs me to even think about those things being taken from me.
What is Christ saying to us about these? He promises that He will swell our hearts with memories and treasures that will never fade and no one can steal away. Thinking about the worldly “treasures” from our loved ones and they way they fill our hearts, gives us a slight glimpse of how our treasures in Christ fill us and swell our souls. To think we will never have to worry about being robbed of these treasures, for they can never be taken from us. As He watches over us, we know we are safe in Him!
Dear God, please nudge us when we collect things that do not matter! Remind us that our treasure is in you, safe under your surveillance!
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; Matthew 6:19
Surveillance cameras, security systems with alarms, deadbolt locks - all of these have become a familiar part of our lives. Fear of thievery has become so prevalent everywhere that we make every attempt to protect whatever we have; large or small it seems. Burglary is nothing new; it was common in Christ’s day. He was aware of that, as of all things. He also knew what was necessary for those He created to live fully, at that time as well as now. However He warns about “storing up” things that do not last. Yet, today we acquire material things at record speed, and need bigger spaces to put them in. We continue to think we are entitled to the latest item on the market and often go into debt to bring it home. We continue to fill our children’s lives with the newest of playthings and clothing because everyone else has them; all of this to the point of overflow and then we worry about how to keep all of it from being taken from us! We are over stretching our budgets and creating a selfish atmosphere blurring out the needs of others. How we need to keep a watchful eye on what we do and we need to ask ourselves what it is we’re actually searching for, in our effort to fill this longing within.
These days I have been going through our basement, attic and closets, to clear out what is not needed anymore. My motives are selfish really, for the older I am getting it is more manageable to have less. I am startled though, at how much we have accumulated over our many years of marriage. I would never have considered myself an over indulged person, yet I really am! I have kept things that were no longer needed. Some clothing sad to say, is now moth-eaten, no longer useable, as I held on to it thinking I might use someday. Clearing out is an eye opener of my own selfishness, so many of these things could have been used all along by someone else. And then there are those things that I consider my true treasures, the many gifts from family and friends - many made by little hands - the things that bring memories to life and swell my heart. It disturbs me to even think about those things being taken from me.
What is Christ saying to us about these? He promises that He will swell our hearts with memories and treasures that will never fade and no one can steal away. Thinking about the worldly “treasures” from our loved ones and they way they fill our hearts, gives us a slight glimpse of how our treasures in Christ fill us and swell our souls. To think we will never have to worry about being robbed of these treasures, for they can never be taken from us. As He watches over us, we know we are safe in Him!
Dear God, please nudge us when we collect things that do not matter! Remind us that our treasure is in you, safe under your surveillance!
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson