People love
to collect things—from player cards to stamps to coins. And while collecting
can be a fun hobby, it is sobering to think that once we leave this earth,
everything we own becomes part of someone else’s collection. What value would
it be to have collected much on earth but little or nothing for eternity?
Jesus had
something to say about this. Speaking to His disciples, He said: “Lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where
thieves do not break in and steal” (Matt. 6:20).
Eternal
treasures never lose their worth. They can never be spoiled or stolen. And just
think—we can actually stockpile them! How? Through acts of service. Through
leading others to Jesus. By being compassionate to those in need. By living
according to the will and ways of Jesus. In the gospel of Mark, we read that
the Lord tested the rich young ruler’s heart when He asked him to sell all that
he had, give it to the poor, and follow Him. The ruler’s response revealed what
he really valued (10:21-22).
It’s
easy to become enamored with earthside stuff, but when you make the choice to
follow Jesus, He’ll show you the joy of collecting eternal treasures. Nothing
on earth can compare!
Hold
tightly to what is eternal and loosely to what is temporal. (RBC)
