"“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 16:18-20)
It is crazzy what people will do for possessions. They are treated like treasures and too many people bestow too much worth than it deserves for it. Just today on the TV it showed hoards of crowds running, stomping each other for... SHOES of all things. Can you imagine that? Who would value something like shoes over the welfare and health of a fellow human being? Shoes are more important to these folks than the well being of someone else. How silly? It was so concerning that the manufacturer issued a request to purchase their item in a safe manner. And shoes are not worth anything if it can be stolen, or destroyed by moths are other things.
But Mr. Bilson has seen crazzy things in his past. Who can forget the day when his pastor friend who ran a youth group and was really struggling financially... It started when his friend goes to a fellow congregation member's house. The parents wanted to celebrate with him and their kids the new construction of a 'man cave'. They constructed an additional room, or cave, in their house with a brand new TV, state of the art sound system, video games and consoles, new fridge and furniture, plush flooring and upholstery. It easily cost over $10,000. The kids did good in school and were well behaved and the parents wanted to reward them. Now there is nothing wrong with rewarding kids and treated those who do well. But it got crazzy when one of the parents came into the office of the youth pastor with a complaint. It had to do with an event the youth pastor prepared. The pastor was struggling financially and put together a retreat event for the youth to come out. He knew that most of the members of the congregation were struggling financially so he lowered the price of the event that would cover, food, transport, speakers etc. He did this so that more people would be able to afford to come out. The pastor would personally pay and absorb the actual cost from his own wallet. It got crazzy when the parent came in, who built the man cave complaining that the $60 fee was too much. Sure it was an event that would develop the spiritual life of the young people and count for eternity but that didn't seem to register. This parent believed that his 'man cave' was worth the investment and treasured it more than the retreat. That man cave is as valauble as any treasure that can be stolen or destroyed. It is crazzy when parents model the wrong value system over their own children. What is the world coming to? Who knows?
Well, this Christmas, lets keep our values in check and in the right priority. Lets invest in things that count for eternity. An experience with Christ is worth far more than any earthly possession. Man caves and shoes are never more valuable than an encounter with Christ and knowing him!
"Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
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