Week One Where Is Your Treasure?

"Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them. Instead, collect treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust don't eat them and where thieves don't break in and steal them. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)

1. Redefining Treasure

"Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them." (Matthew 6:19)

The first time it happened, I didn't know what she was up to.

I had come to home to visit my parents, and as I was leaving, my mom stopped me and handed me a box. It was an old cardboard box that was heavy in my arms. When I opened the box, I realized what she was doing. She was cleaning out her closets. This became her custom for the next couple of years. Every time I left, she would hand me another old box. The boxes were filled to the brim with stuff. It was my stuff.

When I opened the boxes, memories would flood over me. One box was filled with all my old trophies. Soccer, baseball, basketball, and pinewood derby trophies reminded me of my pursuits when I was younger. Another box held my baseball card collection, the one I pored over hour after hour in elementary school. Another box had photos, another notes and cards, another local newspaper clippings with my name highlighted.

My mother had given me the treasure from my first eighteen years. Surprisingly, it all fit into four or five boxes. Not so surprisingly, the stuff that had been cluttering her closet now clutters mine.

We all have stuff. We have so much stuff that our homes can't hold it all. But this book won't be an indictment on stuff. In fact, much of our stuff is quite helpful. The couches, the refrigerator, the beds all go to good use. Even the things we think that are worth keeping in boxes can hold special meaning. What I've learned, though, is that those things are not our treasure.

Jesus said we should stop collecting treasures for our own benefit. His words imply that our lives have a higher purpose than acquiring things to fill rooms and closets. This may seem obvious, until we consider where we spend the majority of our time. If most of our time is spent making money to pay for our stuff, then we at least need to pause for a moment and consider Jesus' admonition.

Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth.

Jesus is not condemning stuff. Most of us need a couch, a refrigerator, a bed. Most of us are grateful for reminders of the past kept in boxes. Instead, Jesus is pointing us to a greater purpose for our lives than accumulating things in the temporary homes we live in. He has more for you.

Jesus wants to redefine what means treasure to you.

O God, I know that you have something to say to me today. Help me to hear your voice above all the noise in my life. I search after many things; help me to search for you. I have sought treasure in many places; remind me that my treasure is in you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

How does today's Scripture intersect with your life? Reflect on this gentle warning from Jesus, then write down your thoughts in a journal or in the space provided below.

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If you have a chance, take a prayer walk today. As you walk, ponder the fact that in our lives we have the opportunity to collect not just "stuff" but treasure. What do you treasure? Ask God to give you insight into what you should treasure.

Do you have any collections? What might your collection or valuables say about how you spend your time, energy, and resources?

Consider taking some time to look through keepsakes you have saved over the years. Ask yourself why you saved these particular treasures, and recall what memories or reminders they hold for you.

2. The Truly Valuable

"Instead, collect treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust don't eat them and where thieves don't break in and steal them." (Matthew 6:20)

I have the opportunity to spend time with people during their last days on earth. It is one of the privileges afforded to pastors. We stand with family members when we know the end is near. We sit next to bedsides and have conversation, prayer, and tears.

I'll never forget being with John in his last few hours. I sat by the window next to his bed. As he spoke, the afternoon sunlight danced across his face. John had been one of my mentors in the faith. He had a fifty-year head start on me in the ministry, but he treated me as an equal. John talked to me about the events he remembered in his life, the things he was thankful for, the moments he regretted, the times he treasured. John talked about his family, his friends, and his God.

With John and all the others, I can't ever recall a time in those last moments when they wanted to talk about the things they had acquired on earth. No one has ever mentioned a beach house or fancy car. Rarely do folks share personal accomplishments or business ventures that went well. These things have their time and place to be celebrated, but it is not usually in the final moments.

People in their last moments talk about their family, their friends, and their God. Deathbed conversations focus on children who have been taught, mission trips that have been taken, and relationships that have lasted. People talk about vacations and moments of great laughter and surprise. They share stories that are amusing and meaningful. They talk about tragedies overcome and healing in the midst of pain. There is less talk about salaries and more about promises—promises shared with God and with people.

I'm not sure I know exactly what Jesus meant when he talked about treasures in heaven, but I think it may have been these things. Treasures in heaven come from loving God and loving people. Moth and rust can't touch these things; thieves can find no way to steal them.

Jesus was trying to move us from focusing on the...