When the boys were little, I pulled out a few toys that I had played with as a child. They began to break right away. Even the plastic had become brittle. What I thought would be a lot of fun for them – playing with a toy I used to treasure – turned into a disappointing moment for all of us.
Have you ever had something special – something that you were not quite ready to give up – break, fall apart, or rust?
Over the years, I have watched the paint turn loose on my ‘87 Nova. I’ve seen a plug knocked out of one of my favorite dishes. I’ve blown the bottom out of bowls in the microwave. One night my pretty toothbrush holder went crashing to the floor.
When I was younger, it used to hurt my feelings to see that kind of stuff happen. At this point in my life, a lot of what I own is either old or worn out. Replacing old favorites has become almost second nature. I find myself wishing for stuff to break at times so I can have an excuse to buy a new one.
Maybe you love a family photo. Maybe you like your new cell phone. You may like beautiful art, or handmade crafts. Perhaps you have an antique automobile, sports car, boat, or bike.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matthew 6:19-21
Who said you couldn’t take it with you? Okay, so it’s not quite the same thing. But that treasure in heaven will last a lot longer than my old printer and your cell phone, and I bet we’d both would rather have it there than here.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1 Corinthians 3:11-15
Check yourself. How much are you working for money and the accolades of men? How much are you serving the Lord? Are you sharing the Gospel with people? Is anything waiting for you in eternity?
LIFE APPLICATION
Key Focal Verse:
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
James 3:17-18
Today’s challenge is to ask yourself where you are laying up your treasures. Are you more focused on what you have now than you are on serving the Lord? How much reward would you like to receive in eternity? I’d love to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”