Photo by Ashin K Suresh on Unsplash
Where does your treasure lie?
There’s a story about a woman who was travelling on the Titanic. When it started to sink, she found her place on a lifeboat about to be lowered.
However, she asked to return to her cabin to retrieve something she needed. She rushed past her precious diamonds and expensive jewelry to grab three oranges. At that moment, food held more value to her than her priceless rings and necklaces.
This reminded me of a children’s movie I recently watched.
In the animated movie Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, the animals on the safari are distressed because their water hole has dried up. The hippopotamus, Moto Moto, frantically digs in the hole hoping to find water at the bottom.
When asked if he’s had any luck uncovering a water source, he responds, “No, just more diamonds and gold” as he heaps more treasure onto the pile.
In both scenarios, values changed. What was once considered priceless became worthless. Stuff had no value anymore but instead was replaced by the need for sustenance.
This is a good reminder of how our perspectives can change given the situation we are in. Right now, we are living here on Earth and we find value in things of this world.
But as Christians, this is not our home. It’s not our final destination. We are meant for eternity. And in light of this, our values need to reflect this truth.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2 NIV).
As believers, we need to remember to focus on what truly matters for eternity. Gold and silver will not last.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19–21 NIV).
How do we store up treasure in heaven? Focus on the core values that Jesus taught — love God and love others.
How do we love God and love others? Through generosity, respect, and compassion. Giving to the poor, spending time with the lonely, and showing sympathy for the needs of others. Keeping in mind that God is more interested in why we do good deeds over what we do.
He wants us to do the right things for the right reasons. Good works alone do not get us into heaven.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8 NIV).
This earth, our current ship, is sinking. And even if the oranges save us from physical death for a time, eventually we will all pass. Don’t forget to place value now on the promises of God for eternity.