Earthly Treasures

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal." Matthew 6:19

I haven't blogged for awhile because we haven't had too much of excitement going on; and, quite honestly, I just haven't felt like it. I've spent a good bit of my "spare" time over the past week cleaning out our master bedroom closet - boy, did we have some "treasures" stored up there! In truth, it was mostly just stuff and not any real treasure. So much stuff that my "walk-in" closet was not really living up to it's name - you could barely get in there! I wish I had taken a "before" picture, but I didn't. I did take this shot of some of the stuff I pulled out of there to give away (this isn't even all of it):


I really can't believe how much we had crammed into that closet. Part way through the process I realized what the problem was - we haven't moved in 6 1/2 years! For the first 8 or 9 years of our marriage, we moved about every 2 years. Something about having to pack all your stuff up motivates you to get rid of some of it. Well, since we have no plans to move, it's time for us to start getting rid of some of our stored "treasures." I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with material possessions and I believe God has given us the capacity to enjoy things in life, it just comes down to attitude. When the things of life become more important than the things that are eternal, or when the things become a source of stress, it's time to make some changes. I took a van load of stuff to a local Christian charity yesterday. I have to admit, it was a little difficult for me to part with some of the stuff, even though most of it hadn't been used in years. But, driving away with my empty van and coming home to a clean closet was a great feeling. And, hopefully someone less fortunate will benefit from some of my stuff. Now, if I can just keep my momentum going and clean out all those other storage areas in my house!

"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." Matthew 6:20-21