Matthew 6:19 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth.”
As we live and learn in our journey through the world, we appreciate more and more the wisdom expressed in Jesus’ statement above. Although we make use of and enjoy the good that our Father has provided for us here, Jesus warns us how futile it is to hoard more than we can use. Physical things wear out or become obsolete; at best we can enjoy them only for a brief time. We cannot take them with us when we leave this earth.
Beyond what we can use, material things are excess baggage, diverting our attention from our true wealth: the “fruits of the spirit” – which we do take with us when we leave this earth. We must not waste our opportunities for true growth. Wisdom for us lies in striking a balance, in giving our attention to the things of the world in intelligent moderation. Temperance is itself one of Paul’s “fruits of the spirit.”
Every individual is a child of God and entitled to his good, as we are to ours. One of Abraham’s great lessons was that he could have “all the land that he could see,” or accept in consciousness. That is a principle that holds true for every one of us. Where our heart is, there is our treasure and our hope of glory.
Our spiritual thought for the day is: Thank you, Father, for balance in my life.
Meditation originally written by Jane Hilton
Thoughts provided by Dr. Maurita Wiggins for September 17, 2006
