Note that the regular devotions were not sent today due to the U.S. Thanksgiving Day. This devotion is from June of 2000.
Text: Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where theives break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consummes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
What are we to treasure? What about the Reign of God, the Will of God. That is the treasure for which we pray in the Lord's Prayer. What about acts of kindness and mercy. You can take those away...no one can steal those from us. Our focus is what gives purpose and form to the day at hand. Remember, our treasures can be any number of things. People, things, abilities all become treasures that can grow old and fade and give out. This does not mean that we are not to have or nurture these things in our lives. We are told not to put those things before or in place of the treasure offered within God's Reign and promises for life. Which will never lose their power and life. Everything else will have its place when our priority in life is focused on God's Reign available to us now.
Connection: How can treasuring the things of the Reign of God ( justice, peace, the welfare of all, forgiveness, etc.) shape the way we engage and treat the other "treasures" of our lives today. Sometimes, letting go of the other things we treasure is the most powerful way of honoring those things and staying focused on what God requires of us. Every time I think about my daughter being away from home and living on her own, I think about the possibility of losing her - somehow. It is frightening. And yet, it is what reminds me to thank God for what I have been given. And as usual, God gives us enough....always.
O Treasure of our lives, thanks be to you for the very life we breathe each moment and for the vast spectrum of gifts you bring into our lives. Remind us to treasure the gift of your Son and the life within your blessed Reign. Amen
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