August 30, 2023

“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.” – Matthew 6:19-20

I don’t know how often you check your emails or how much you look for my devotion on social media each Wednesday, but this week I am running awfully late! This past Sunday was my first Sunday back from sabbatical, and since I left the house this morning I have had meetings with staff, meetings with church members, people stopping by the office, and my phone has been blowing up with calls and texts all day! I have not even had a moment to eat lunch today, let alone sit down and write out my devotion. And you know what? It’s been wonderful! I have missed my church family so much! I have said it many times over the years; the only thing from earth that you can take with you into eternity is your relationships.

Many people are familiar with Matthew 6:19-20. We are warned against putting great value on earthly things, and instead, instructed to amass for ourselves treasure that lasts into eternity. But what exactly are those treasures? What are those things that we are supposed to be storing up in heaven? Unfortunately, I think we often confuse “church stuff” with true treasure. I seriously doubt that, as we stand before God, he will hand out an award for the best church architecture, give a trophy to the most talented worship band, or bestow a diploma on the one who has read the most theology books. All these things are wonderful as long as they have a Kingdom impact on the people around you. The question is, are you living a life that leads people to Jesus and disciples them in their walk with him? So, as you work your job or attend your class or shop for your groceries or walk around your neighborhood, remember, the relationships are the only things with true eternal value. People are the treasure!

Gracious and loving God, teach us to value people the way You do. You gave Your Son so that we could be in eternity with You. Let us always be willing and eager to put things on the back burner in order to make relationships the priority.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon