Just Stuff
READ
God wants my whole heart. He wants me to seek Him first and keep my life aligned with His. As simple as that sounds, it's easy to let other things slowly slide into the forefront. Material things I can see and touch right now are often appealing. They can easily catch my eye and subtly steal my affection. These things, in and of themselves, aren't bad — unless I find myself living for more and more of them, instead of more of God.
Let's take a moment to read Matthew 6:19-21, which speaks to this very human tendency:
"Don't store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
What we love and treasure determines how we orient our lives. In these verses, Jesus gives us both a warning and a direction: rather than selfishly accumulating temporary, earthly things, we should treasure what is lasting and eternal. As a follower of Christ, my words, actions, and resources can be used to build the Kingdom, and this should always be the greatest desire of my heart. After all, these are the things that will last forever.
REFLECT
When my sweet grandmother passed away, my aunt had the privilege — and the rather emotional task — of cleaning out her modest home, a home she'd lived in for more than 50 years. As my aunt sorted through my grandmother's possessions one by one, she thoughtfully filled a cardboard box for each grandchild, figuring we'd all want at least one box of our grandmother's belongings.
My older sister kept my box, labeled in bold black marker "For Holly," until I could get to Nashville to retrieve it. She carted it around in the back of her minivan for quite some time, until one day I was in town and we made a plan to meet. It's a day I remember well.
As my sister got out of her minivan, she pushed a button to open the hatch. Lowering her head just a bit, she picked up the medium-sized box and turned to place it into my outstretched arms. But before the exchange was complete, she paused for a long, heavy moment — both of us facing each other, hands still overlapping on the box.
Then she said these words. Words that a protective big sister says when she's afraid her little sister might not fully realize the truth of the moment. She spoke through tears, and I heard every bit of her own sadness and underlying disappointment.
"This is just stuff. Our grandmother is in heaven, and the reality is... this is just her stuff. I wish I could say it was more than that."
I quickly grabbed the box, hoping she was wrong, hoping I could find some comfort in it and its contents. I was searching for a way to ease my sadness and my heartache. I was doing what we all wrongly do from time to time — looking for comfort in material, earthly possessions. Trying to find peace in objects and things. Clinging to the temporary belongings of this world.
Thinking back to the words of Christ, we have a calling that extends beyond this world. I want my life to be filled with words and actions that reflect God's love and character, and I'm guessing the same is true of you. I want to pursue things that are lasting and meaningful. These "treasures in heaven" impact others — not just today, but in the generations to come. Treasures so big and boundless they can't be confined to this world, or even to an old, worn-out cardboard box.
My grandmother seemed to know how to collect these lasting treasures. She was an unassuming woman who simply loved the Lord. She was content with what she had and always found a way to be generous with it. She had a servant's heart, loved cooking for others, and was known for humbly being the last one to eat. She had kind eyes and a sweet, closed-lipped smile, and I loved being the recipient of her loving gaze. But honestly, that was the way she looked at everyone. In her graciousness, she could see people as God saw them, and love them as He does.
These things were the result of a life well-lived, and I now know they carry both generational impact and eternal value. I often feel inspired to steward well all the good and godly attributes my grandmother passed on to me — simply because these are the things that will never lose value and can't fit in a box. These are the treasures in heaven.
RESPOND
Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.
Make a list of the things that "moth and rust can't destroy" and that "thieves can't steal." What are your "treasures in heaven"?
Sometime this week, listen to Nichole Nordeman's song "Legacy." Think about how your words and actions today can have a lasting impact for the Kingdom.
Our goal as Christ-followers isn't to accumulate stuff, but to generously serve God and His Kingdom here on earth. Reorient your relationship with your belongings and material possessions this week by getting rid of a few things.
REST
Take a moment to rest in God's presence and consider one thing you can carry with you from your time reading. Then close your devotional experience by praying:
Heavenly Father, You are first in my heart. I live for You and for the things of Your Kingdom. Help me to be generous and open-handed with all that You have graciously given me. Give me wisdom to steward my resources well, knowing they come from You and should be used for Your purposes. Lord, I look to You — not my material possessions or finances — for security. You and Your love are my eternal treasures. Amen.
Port City writer Holly Campbell wrote today’s devotional.