OCTOBER 29 | Matthew 6:19-21
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Overflowing Treasures
By Judy Webb
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin 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)
What comes to mind when reading these verses about treasures? Perhaps pirates or an overflowing treasure chest of various gold and jewels? This is likely the visual you had as a child when playing with your neighborhood friends. Pirates’ islands were an exciting pretend place to explore. But we get older and our dreams and visions change to more real explorations. We are brought to a place where we begin to dream about our future, what we want to be when we grow up, and we then realize that pirates and their treasures have no place in our future. What we treasure changes from fantasy to a more real, down-to-earth picture.
When growing up, my family was poor in earthly things. There was always food on the table, but no luxuries like designer duds or flashy bicycles. So, dreaming of treasures became part of childhood. Then, as children do, we matured in our thinking, we experienced more of real life and began to recognize that true treasure isn’t something we can hold in our hands, but in our hearts. We begin to learn the difference between earthly treasure and heavenly treasure.
Things we value look different when we walk the path Jesus sets before us. As a child we valued ‘things’ but now as Christians we find worth in more simple things. Once we learn the value of sharing and caring about people over possessions our world view changes. We recognize that earthly treasures are temporary, easily lost or spoiled. Their value decreases in our eyes and we discover treasures we never considered before. We learn that our earthly treasures are not for us, but for us to hold as stewards.
Excessive worry such over such things as money, interferes with faith in God. Money is temporary and hard to hang on to. Never prioritize material things over godliness. Treasures in heaven equals making right choices out of sincere devotion to God.
“The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most likely end up being.” ( v 21 MSG)
PRAYER
Dear Father,
The treasure of our hearts lie in knowing you and your precious word. Give us the wisdom to recognize this and live accordingly. If we need more proof we only need to read the words found in Luke 12:34. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JUDY WEBB
I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for almost 20 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.
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