Matthew 6:19-21

"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."
(NIV)

I just read an article in a local magazine about the Railroad Heritage Mural. This 25'x200' mural was a project started in 1990 and completed in 1993. It was the largest mural in Arkansas and was an inspiring work of art. Notice I said "was". On January 23, 2010, it was destroyed (or at least half of it crumbled). Reading this article made me think of Matthew 6:19-21.

We so often build things thinking they will last forever, but the reality is that they won't. Of course, some things last a lot longer than others, but they will still be destroyed in some fashion.

Does this mean we shouldn't build things? Obviously not, but we should keep things in perspective. Are these things really necessary - such as a bigger house? Do we really need to put that much money into these things or could we eliminate some of the "extras" - such as the most expensive knobs on the cabinets or the largest big screen TV - and use the money for more important matters - such as donating to a ministry or taking the family to a spiritual event? When we take the time to think it through, we soon realize that many of the things that we consider to be necessary do not even compare to the importance of other (more spiritual) things. Which is more important - buying a new car or going on a mission trip? In the long run, will the newer, more up-to-date items last longer than spiritual growth or investing time/money in someone's spiritual journey? We all know the answer to these questions even though we so often do not show it or even take time to think about it.

It is so easy to get caught up in the things of this world and forget that we have a higher purpose. Our purpose is not to make money so we can buy more stuff or build more buildings. We were not meant to be so consumed with the treasures of this earth that we forget about the real treasures of heaven.

It is also easy to get caught in the trap of discontentment. We spend so much time and money on things that break and decay that we become discontented with our life. We forget that true contentment comes from our relationship with God. Recently, we were given a daily calendar called "Simple Matters by Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz." Here is the excerpt from January 14: "Stuff has nothing to do with contentment, because contentment is a matter of your heart, not your wallet. Real contentment comes when you focus your heart and your mind on things above rather than things on Earth." They also used Philippians 4:12 (NLT) as a scripture reference. It says, "I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation." What is the secret of living that Paul was talking about? Contentment. True contentment comes when we are more focused on God and relationships than we are on what we have or don't have. When we understand that our life will not fall apart if we don't get that new electronic gadget and that it's better to go through life without debt hanging over our heads, then we can breathe easier and grasp the feeling of contentment. Life takes on new meaning.

Here are some Bible verses and a quotation that I want to close this blog with. Please take them to heart and consider where you are storing your treasures.

Matthew 6:19-21

"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.
(NIV)


1 Timothy 6:6-9

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."
(NIV)


Hebrews 13:5-6

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
'Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.'

So we say with confidence,
'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?'"
(NIV)

"We must look on all things of this world as none of ours, and not desire them." Clement of Rome