Matthew 6:19-20 Do not gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal; 20. But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal. (Amp.)
REFLECTION: This scripture is sensible. And I am most guilty of gathering and heaping. We stored craft magazines (and other stuff) in our Slippery Rock apartment while we sojourned in Atlanta. A water pipe burst ruining many of the magazines and an antique bookcase. Floodwaters that seeped in from outside ruined the red and the blue carpet we were storing. In New Castle, I stored stuff in the basement, where water periodically damaged it. In Jamestown, the full attic was a relief. Stuff had to be protected from bats, but at least it wouldn't be flooded. Looking for something for Sandy's April 1994 wedding, I opened boxes of stuff stored for her. Surprise! I found birdseed (from outside bird feeders) and spaghetti (stored safely on shelves, I’d thought) scattered through the box. Checking other boxes, sure enough, I found more of the same. I spent 30-60 minutes each morning throughout the summer going through boxes, cleaning up critter mess and bat dirt, inside and outside boxes! Even from inside closed plastic barrels and buckets, which was supposed to protect stuff from critters. I disposed of damaged stuff that couldn't cleaned or repaired. Stuff: my craft inventory, baby stuff for the kids, foodstuffs etc. Hopefully, I can protect stuff better when we move to Connellsville. I wonder if the basement there ever floods? How much “stuff” do you have stored that will go to ruin before it is ever needed again? Perhaps we place our treasure here on earth instead of looking toward God. PRAYER: Lord, in this country we are so blessed with so much material stuff. Let me be master of my stuff, let me be a good steward of the material gifts you send my way, instead of storing it and having it come to naught. Amen. ---Written by Carolyn |
