Dear Trekker,
As of a few days ago, friend wife Barbara and I have lived in the same home for 21 years inColorado Springs. During our long military career, we moved 17 times. The longest we lived in any one place during that time wasSpringfield,VA, where we sojourned at the Pentagon for seven and one-half years. By moving so often, one cannot acquire too much “stuff”. Moving “stuff” costs time and money. And since friend wife is an accomplished chucker of most anything of questionable value, we were never too inundated with “stuff”.
But living in one place for 21 years… one can acquire “stuff”. My bug-a-boo, I guess, is papers and books. Oh yes, and putters! I had 11 till a few weeks ago when I gave three to a Young Life benefit. Yes, you can only use one at a time… but remember, it is what feels “hot” in your hand! (Trekker, if you are a golfer you understand. If you are not, just mark me off as a lost cause.)
Enter a move after 21 years! With some health issues involved, friend wife decided we needed fewer stairs… basically one floor living for her. So, we are moving next month. We are chucking, cleaning and sorting this month. Trying to determine what is sentimental and to be kept, and what is practical not to keep is difficult at times, at least for me. Not sure with friend wife. She is a woman on a mission! But God knew what I needed when He gave me Barbara.
What has value and why? We all assess value a bit differently. I love my books, writings and papers. Mementos collected from living and travelling all over the world (with a story behind each one, and these stories comprise your life) are hard to let go.
But what has value? The Lord addressed this subject in his lifestyle sermon, the one known as “on the mount”. Matthew 6:19-21 records it: “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.” I agree! All these treasures on earth, known as “stuff”, do capture your heart, your money, your time, your attention and often too much of each.
We are to avoid cheap “stuff”! Buy things of value. Buy something that will last. And be careful… moths can destroy any piece of wool clothing. (I remember as a kid back inIndianaopening a drawer and seeing a nice wool sweater with “bullet holes” in it.) Rust attacks most metals. Thieves will steal most anything! And any enterprising thief can do his or her thing in a heartbeat.
But what are treasures in heaven? Over the years this has captured my imagination and attention. Many years ago, I came to the conclusion that treasures in heaven had to be people! In heaven (so far as we know from Scripture) will reside God the Father, His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit… and those who have been united with Christ (in Christ) here on earth before they enter the physical death passageway. No doubt there will be other heavenly beings, but other earthly entities or “things being there” is pure speculation, at best. At least, this is how I read the Bible.
If treasures in heaven can only be people, this clears up a lot of things. Our priority must be people! Relationships then, with others, are the opportunity to lay up treasures in heaven. Acts of kindness on earth establish treasures (people) in heaven. The Church has always cared for the sick, the poor, and the helpless. It must always do so to the best of its ability.
So…character on earth begets treasure in heaven. Offering loving encouragement, forgiveness, patience, tenderness, etc. surely result in heavenly treasures presented to God.
If what we set our heart upon is on earth, we just may miss out in heaven. Particularly in a world of affluence, it is difficult to keep our eyes and interests on things eternal. But if we keep our focus on issues permanent, we will value lightly and proportionally anything in this world. Conversely, if everything one counts valuable is in life here, then he or she may leave earth grudgingly or reluctantly. Peering into the tombs of Pharaohs years ago inEgypt, I concluded the Pharaohs believed there was value in taking your gold with you to the grave. Not so; we can’t take earthly treasures with us.
Trekker, I do believe that “stuff” here can fade appropriately and not demand our attention, our money or our time. As our thoughts turn toward heaven, we can leave our houses, our “stuff” and even our family and friends with gladness because we are going home to God. He’s preparing a place for us, that where He is, we may be also. May our hearts not be troubled, but may they rest in Him.
Jesus did not say this world was not important. He created it; it is good. But it is not to live forever with Him. He created the world in which to place His people! We are stewards of His creation. But in many ways, the Lord encouraged His followers to see that this world is not significant in and of itself, but that to which it leads and prepares us for… heaven. The whole world is a stage… for the next one!
Stuff and treasures! Oh, trekker, the dichotomy has come home to me big time these last few weeks. Pray with and for me as I daily dispense with “stuff”. I want less stuff here and more treasures there! Let’s lay each other up into the realms of heavenly glory. What a worthy goal, a world changing lifestyle, to lay up treasures in heaven!
Your friend,
Jim Meredith
