By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

Overwhelmed By Stuff

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
Matthew 6:19-20 English Standard Version

When I gave my grandson a generous helping of squash, he looked up at me and said, “Too much, Grandpa!”  He does like squash, but he knows that sometimes we can have too much.  Too much squash, too much money, too much worry, too much stuff!

Jesus reminds us to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven, not treasures here on earth.  What does this mean?  It means that we should not busy ourselves with accumulating possessions and wealth and houses, but busy ourselves with the things of God.  To have trust in him, to worship him, to love him and our neighbor, to spend time in his Word and prayer, to witness in word and action of the Good News of Jesus, these are the things of God.

I just conducted a memorial service for my cousin, Wally.  What mattered about Wally’s life was not his wealth, nor his possessions, nor his accomplishments.  He had little of any of these.  But what mattered about his life was that he knew Jesus as his Savior and trusted him for eternal life.  That is the treasure that no one can take away!

All too often we focus on the temporary stuff of this life that soon passes away.  Place your trust and focus on our Lord Jesus.  What he gives us through his sacrifice will never pass away.

Lord, please forgive me for placing too much time and focus on the temporary things of this life.  You and your love for me is what really matters.  I value you above all else, Lord.  Amen.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado