Thoughts for the Day

Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

At the turn of the new century twenty five years ago, a time capsule was place in the bottom of a gate post at one of the churches where I was Vicar. We spent much time wondering what would we want a future generation to know about us, and what messages of hope could we bequeath them? It's a long while ago and much water has flown under the bridge as the saying goes. I am pretty sure we asked the school to put in something, though I may be wrong, but I do remember what I put in to represent the church congregation. I wrote them a letter, and added a weekly pew sheet and a church magazine. I also added a piece of modern technology - a square disk - with everything on it in case the paper deteriorated even though it was in a sealed container.

Well you will by now have realised the problem. We didn't have broadband until well into the 21st century, Wikipedia didn't appear until 2001 and Facebook until 2004. And as for little disks, well they didn't last long as computers progressed! I have this wonderful picture of someone in the future holding one and wondering what to do with it!

Jesus says we are not to store up treasure on earth - yes we are to provide for ourselves and our family if we are able, but there is no need to lay aside treasure for the sake of treasure, or to accumulate expensive products just because we can, after all when we die we take nothing with us! Instead we are to invest in others by helping those in need in any way we can; we are to invest in building up Christ's church (people) in any way we can; and we are to invest in our own future through strengthening our relationship with God through prayer. These will not decay or be stolen. This is treasure that we pay into the bank of Heaven.

Heavenly Father,
may we not be so consumed with the riches of this world,
which are fleeting and transitory,
but learn to rely on eternal treasure
as promised by Your Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ.
May we learn to live lighter to this world,
and invest more in our future,
by living for others rather than ourself.
Amen.