Jody in Honduras handing our GAP meals to people in a local village with our partners from His Eyes Ministry.
19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” -Matthew 6:19-21
Our recent move after 14 years truly highlighted how much stuff a family accumulates. It also offered me a unique perspective on what truly matters. We uncovered forgotten trinkets, unfinished projects, and those "must-have" items still in their original packaging. Even more striking are the boxes still packed from a previous move - items we once thought we couldn't live without!
We often form attachments to our possessions, clinging to them because they make us feel good, important, or hold a cherished memory. However, as we move, these "memories" can become a burden rather than a source of joy. Eventually, time and the elements take their toll, and we discard them, only to replace them with new, perhaps more significant, memories.
When we focus too heavily on the material, we can be distracted from far more valuable treasures. We should instead prioritize spiritual treasures that offer true, lasting value. As I wrestled with sorting and packing my physical belongings, I realized I hadn't given much thought to my spiritual treasures —those that will last for eternity, blessing not only us and others, but ultimately, praising God. As Christians, we understand that earthly possessions are temporary, and spiritual treasures are eternal. We know this, yet we rarely act like it. Throughout life, we need to realize we possess more treasure than what sits on our shelves - by God's grace we have eternal treasures beyond our imagination.