Thoughts for another day

December 1, 2011

Today's verse: Mt. 6:19. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Have you ever asked yourself, what consists of treasure to you?   Everyone on earth is fascinated with one thing or other and he demands he get it for he feels without it he won't be able to live.  We desire things like gold, a good home, a car, a race horse or even an aircraft; the bigger your dream, means you already possess the smaller ones.  And that's what our world is about: chasing after dreams!  When you ask why, you'll invariably get the answer that, that thing will make him happy.  As if a 'thing' has ever made man happy, for no sooner he's obtained the thing he dreamt of, he starts dreaming another!

In this context, Jesus' Word above must act as a sobering thought.  Treasures, Jesus says, must be collected in heaven not on earth.  And what, you may ask, are treasures that can be collected in heaven?  They're simple things:  the smile of the little child who was naked and to whom you gave warm clothing or, the look of happiness when you visited your enemy in the hospital and his eyes flowed with tears of gratitude even as you tried to hold yours; it could be the beggar down the street where you live and since you had a good meal, you felt you must also give him something… just because you're happy and when you did, his feeble thanks you made you glad you did.  It could even be the thankful eyes of the prisoner you spoke a few encouraging words to, when you went on your weekly prison visits.

My friend, treasures in heaven are nothing but little does of happiness we feed ourselves with when we give of ourselves; making a little sacrifice of course like for instance, taking a little time off in giving a listening ear to your troubled colleague even when you know the clock is beckoning you to get back to finish the report you've got to hand in.  Yes, to an indifferent and unsympathetic world, these little touches may not mean much; but they do, to Him who wept at the tomb of Lazarus.  You know, He considers them your treasure in His Kingdom.  For a change today, instead of looking inward, can we look outward and start amassing what's treasure to the Master.  I know we can.