“Lay not up for yourselves treasure upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6: 19-21
Today’s Christian daily devotional
I spot ‘it’. To the untrained eye it simply looks like a rusty old teakettle. But, I instantly recognize this treasure for what it is—from three isles away!
Just looking at the porcelain handle takes me back to having tea with my grandmother. I can remember her kettle whistling through her tiny house in the most ear-shattering way. It wasn’t exactly the most peaceful sound to hear before retiring to bed, but it was our routine. And, any routine with Grandma was a good one to me.
I quickly jostle my cart through the isles over to the tarnished kettle, pushing aside the other worn wares that stand between us.
As I grab ahold of it, I turn the vintage gem slowly in my hands. It stirs up old memories and I am instantly transported to my grandmother’s kitchen.
“When you grow up, Julia, you can have it. It’s made of one hundred percent copper.” I picture my grandmother carefully pouring scalding water into my teacup. Her pinky finger gently lifts as she tilts the teakettle. Everything my grandma did was lady-like.
Unfortunately, after she passed, that precious ancient teakettle of her’s was never found. This was a sad discovery as my grandmother was very careful with it throughout her life.
Although the kettle in my hands today isn’t exactly my grandmother’s, I clasp it to my chest as if it is, heading merrily towards the checkout line.
“That will be four dollars and seventy eight cents.” The young cashier manages to sputter between the smacking of her gum.
I happily pay up. My active imagination can’t help but wonder about the previous owner of this particular kettle:
Did she/he plan on passing it down to their family? Did he/she know the value of it? What would they think if they knew it was sold for less than five dollars at the local Goodwill?
Matthew 6:19-21 reminds us to keep life in a proper perspective. There are many things we invest our time and efforts on. And, although many of these things aren’t necessarily bad in and of themselves, Jesus reminds us that there are more important things in this life than items.
Jesus was referring to spiritual treasures. The most important ‘things’ to Him were people. He loved their hearts and cared about their eternal souls.
When we love people, most of us want to express that love in a tangible way. My grandmother wanted to express her love to me by leaving me something she thought was valuable in her eyes.
But, what could be more valuable than investing our time, love and efforts into the lives and souls of people God finds priceless?
If you know where you will be for eternity, let me challenge you to share that gift! Not only will this benefit your loved ones in this life; but it will also reap eternal blessings for you (and them) in the next.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I have gotten sloppy in my living. I have found salvation in you and have reaped so much joy, comfort and blessing in my personal relationship with you.
The problem is: I have been selfish with this blessing. I cringe at the idea of telling others about what you have done for me. To be honest, I don’t want to be looked at as a “Jesus Freak”. So, I have shut my mouth.
Lord, if I say I love my friends and don’t tell them about you, I am a shameful liar. My love for them is shallow.
True love was defined for us by Jesus: He said that a man who laid his life down for his friend was a true friend.
Lord, it’s not like I am taking an actual bullet! Yet, I act as if sharing my testimony is like that. Forgive my apathy.
Give me eyes to see the lost like you see them, Lord. Help me to get my mind off myself and onto the job you have me here to do.
I am here to spread the light of Jesus, to be a witness and to be an example. Help me to do all of these things with wisdom and discernment. Bless me as I obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: Matthew 6: 19-21
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan