Treasures, Here and There

Beloved,

My thoughts this week have been repeatedly drawn to the brevity of life and how quickly my focus stays on the things of this world instead of heavenly things. We returned from a 2-1/2 week trip on Monday, and I am strangely noticing my closets, home and outbuildings harboring things that I don’t use much and keep packing a little farther back or burying a little deeper from view. You may know what I mean: Rubbermaid containers stacked and labeled with obscure items; quilt fabrics folded and stored on dreams; projects that, all things considered, will never materialize; bargains that seemed too-good-to-be-true on the purchase date. I’m painfully aware of things I purchased with money that we took the time and effort to earn, but which proved to be unnecessary and not very useful. Please don’t think I don’t recognize the need for storing legitimate things and owning seasonal and not-often-used items. I’m referring to the great American surplus.

My thoughts compelled me to re-read the story Jesus told in Luke, Chapter 12, about the man who became rich in this world’s goods, built bigger barns to store it all and decided to retire and live comfortably from his excess. The truth of the situation was that this man’s life was cut short and God called him to accountability right then. His earthly goods were dispersed, and tragically, he had stored up no heavenly treasures with God. “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’” (Jesus continued) “So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:20-21)

I realized that I have closets full of futility and a barn full of potential, but my heart’s real desire is to be called heavenward with checks in the mail to ministries carrying the Gospel of Jesus, and my bank account uncomfortably low because I support the poor and destitute around the globe. I really want to be leaning hard on the Lord for my own needs because I focused on the needs He presented to me for others. I deeply yearn to walk in His two greatest commandments, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:28)

Oh, dear God! Let me deny myself, take up my cross, and follow You, disregarding my own desire for possessions and worldly security! As I thank You for each new morning, may I exhibit Your generous heart; may I be a living river of blessing and not a stagnant puddle that reeks of decay! Increase the storage of my heavenly home, Lord, ‘cause I’m cleaning out the closets here below and my treasures are taking on an ‘Otherworldly’ aura! Moths and rust, be gone! Let me not fear this day if it were my last, but invest this day and all its benefits in ‘futures’ with a guarantee of unbelievable return. The checks are in the mail, Lord!

"Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." (Luke 12:15)

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”

(Luke 12:32)

Passionately serving Christ,

Kathy Hitch, for the Hitch family