Treasure

And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of things he posesses.” Luke 12:15

How often do we look with envy at people who “have it all” according to the world’s standards? Wealth, money, fame…all the worldly posessions they desire, it seems, are right there at their fingertips. Yet what they truly seek: peace, joy, love and salvation elude them because their treasures are in earthly things and their lives are miserable. The world tells us we should strive to be one of these people. But is this what we really want?

Now consider those who are “poor” according to the world’s standards. They have little money, no fancy homes and their names are not well known. They are missionaries in far away lands. They are Christians being persecuted in foreign countries and they are people all around who put God and others before themselves. How can these men, women and children be so happy when they have so little and so many of them are suffering? It is because they have so much more than we can see in this present life. Their treasure is not here where it will rust, fade or be taken away. No, their treasure is in Heaven where it can never be destroyed or taken away. It is an eternal treasure, given by the the eternal, loving Father, God.

Now which treasure will we strive for? Will we covet the things of this world that do not last and bring more misery than they are worth or do we store up our treasures in Heaven that truly bring about abundant life? The choice is yours.