Daily devotional, 21 June 2024 Storage Wars
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5
Back in the peak of Cable TV viewing days, we enjoyed watching the show “Storage Wars.” It is about stuff left in abandoned storage units that are being auctioned off. Those who participate in the auction take a chance at what they bid for because they are not allowed to scrutinize the contents of the unit, they can only look at it from a distance.
Some units contain valuable stuff like usable furniture, appliances, and books. Others contain antiques that could fetch thousands of dollars. While others are just garbage, stuff decluttered by someone who could not totally part with the belongings he no longer uses.
As followers of Jesus, we are being called to store up treasures, not here on earth, but in heaven. We are being called to look beyond the glitter of material possessions, and the possible security we may find in it, and instead, work for the things that can endure.
“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. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6:19-21
While material possessions can give most people the peace of mind and security that they can have extras of what they can possibly need, secure the future of their children, or they could finance whatever emergencies they encounter, we know that money cannot buy everything.
"Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death."
Proverbs 11:4
In the Bible, Jesus told of a parable about a rich businessman who thought of building bigger barns to store his land’s harvests so that he could just sit back, and have a relaxing life. God however rebuked the rich man saying if He will take His life away, who will get to benefit from the material possessions he hoarded.
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:20-21
In our life, we may feel like we need to accumulate money, possessions, and other valuable things. But these things do not last a lifetime. It can easily be taken away if the Lord will choose to do it.
Job, a character from the Old Testament, was a really righteous man, and yet, in just one day He lost all his livelihood, and all his children died. In that story, the devil asked God if he could test Job’s faith in Him, and so the Lord permitted the Devil to do it as long as he did not kill job. And since Job still had strong faith even after that fateful day, the devil again tried to tempt him to turn his back against God by giving him a skin disease that made him itch so much he scratches his skin till it bleeds.
Everyone around Job told Him that God is punishing Him, and even His wife told him to curse his God and just kill himself. Yet, Job displayed great faith in the one true God.
"And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
Job 1:21
Now if Job, a righteous man was tried for His faith, what more ordinary sinful people like us? God can just take away our material possession and wealth at one snap of His finger. Houses can burn down or get flooded, sudden stage four cancer diagnosis is very real, massacres or shoot-outs can happen, terror attacks can take place, business ventures can go bankrupt, and investment decisions could suddenly go down south.
And so, if something tragic were to happen to you today, have you already stored up enough wealth in Heaven? Have you ever thought to yourself that everything came from Him and He can just take it all away?
"Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all."
1 Chronicles 29:12
So how do we store up treasures in heaven? How do we literally do it in this present age? We are not being called to stop working and give up every single peso we have, although we could if we choose to. What we are being asked for is to live the faith that we profess. That if we believe that Christ is our Lord and Savior, He is number one in our priorities, our schedule, our finances, and He is our number one go to in times of trouble.
We seek His guidance everyday. We obey His words and teachings. We live a life of worship, love and praise for Him. We follow His command to spread the gospel. We love others by sharing what we have: time, talent, and possessions. We will forgive our enemies. Tall order, yes, but it can be done with fervent prayers and God’s help.
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20
The abovementioned things are just some of the ways to store up treasures in heaven, but the best way to know if we are doing so is to ask ourselves everytime we do or decide on something:
1. Will my action please God?
2. Does this choice or decision honor God?
Our “yes” to these two questions will help us store as much heavenly treasures as we can. And what is wonderful about storing up heavenly treasures is that we can enjoy these riches even while here on earth.
As we live out our faith, grow closer and more dependent on Jesus Christ, we will realize that we will lack nothing. That His presence in our life brings us guidance, joy, and peace that endures the test of time, transcends the inevitable difficulties we may encounter, and can never be bought even with a world full of material wealth and possessions.
"As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Luke 12:13-21 and Matthew 6:19-21 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Where have you stored up your riches?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the opportunity to store up riches in heaven. For encouraging us to value what endures, and to draw near you. It is our privilege to worship you Lord, and so thank you that for every riches that we store in your Kingdom, we get to enjoy them too as we live out our earthly existence. Amen.
