Remember: Treasures Are Temporary… Hello weekend readers. Here is a question for you: what treasures do you hang on to? I ask this because it is so easy to consume stuff—those treasures you buy or gifts from others. I agree that there is joy in those treasures…but often they became idols. Below is a true story about treasures and success.

Dr. George W. Truett was a prominent pastoral evangelist. He served as the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas for 47 years and was a beloved pastor for many people. He was always there when someone needed help.

One day he was invited to dinner in the home of a very wealthy man in Texas. He had heard a lot about this man and his ego so he decided to go to his dinner and see why this man wanted him so much to be there. When the meal was finished, the gracious host took Pastor Truett to a high place where they could get a good view of the surrounding area.

Pointing to the oil wells on the horizon to the north, he boasted, “Twenty-five years ago I had nothing. Now, as far as you can see, it’s all mine!” Looking south at his sprawling fields of grain, he said, “That’s all mine too.” And then, turning east toward huge herds of cattle, he bragged, “They’re all mine also. Best beef in the country! Oh, now look to the west and the beautiful forest—and that is all mine, too.”

He paused, waiting for the pastor to compliment him on his great success. Dr. Truett, however, placed one hand on the man’s shoulder, pointed heavenward with the other, and simply asked, “How much do you have in that direction?” The man hung his head and confessed, “I haven’t really thought of that but I have all I need, right?” Dr. Truett sat down with him for quite a while, hoping this man would understand that the treasure he really needs is Jesus!

“Don’t keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value. Instead, stockpile heavenly treasures for yourselves that cannot be stolen and will never rust, decay, or lose their value. For your heart will always pursue what you esteem as your treasure.” -Matthew 6:19-21 [TPT]

There are some people who have so many material possessions—are you one of them? Like the wealthy man, we miss what God has given us because we have what we really like instead. But think about this: the day will come and we will meet our Creator face to face. What will we say to Him … What will He say to us? Were our treasures for us, piling on to prestige and pumping up our ego?

Dear friends, we all know we love things and yes we all have an ego…but remember what happens with our ego and what it means: Edging God Out! Like the wealthy Texas man, he had forgotten that all those things he said “those are mine, too” were gifts from God and not  his own.

Let’s understand this: we leave the world the same way we came in which is nothing. Whatever we have on earth is temporary and the treasures that last will be stored in heaven. So, whether you have a lot or a little, remember to store up your real, imperishable treasure in heaven and that is the joy of living with our Creator forever, AMEN!