Daily Devotional for November 14, 2019
Temporary Treasure
“This is going to be worth a lot of money someday,” Noah declared proudly as he looked over his stamp collection. He was very careful in handling the stamps and didn’t want anyone else to touch them.
One afternoon, a neighbor stopped by with her little boy. As she and Noah’s mom were talking, little Judah wandered into Noah’s room. “Look, Mommy. See what I found!” said Judah when she called him to come and get ready to leave. Clutched in his small fist were some of Noah’s stamps. Judah had climbed on Noah’s bed and reached the collection on the dresser.
“Judah!” his mother exclaimed. She turned to Noah, who had just come in. “I’m so sorry. I hope these are okay,” she said, loosening the stamps from Judah’s hand and giving them to Noah.
They left, and Noah ran to his room. “That little brat!” he wailed. “The pages in my book are all wrinkled. My collection is ruined!”
“It’s not ruined, Noah. You can smooth out the stamps and the rumpled pages,” said Mom after checking the book.
“Well, it won’t be worth anything anymore!” cried Noah angrily. “If I ever see that kid again, I’m gonna teach him a lesson!”
Mom frowned. “I can understand why you’re upset, but there are more important things than the stuff we treasure and surround ourselves with. Do you think the way you’re reacting to what happened to your stamps shows others what Jesus is like?”
Noah sighed. “Is it wrong to have a stamp collection then?”
“No,” Mom replied, “but it’s wrong to make it, or any other earthly treasure, so important that it comes before your love for God—or for people.” She patted Noah’s shoulder. “Remember that Judah isn’t much more than a baby. Be willing to forgive him. Use this as an opportunity to store treasure where it will last.”
“You mean, put my stamps up on a higher shelf next time?”
“That would be a good idea, but what I really meant is that by caring about Judah more than your stamps and choosing to show him the love and forgiveness of Jesus, you can store treasure in heaven where it will never be damaged.”
Noah looked at the floor and nodded. “Okay,” he said. “I will.” Barbara Riegle
How about you?
Do you have treasure in heaven as well as on earth? Be thankful for all the good things God has given you here, but don’t get too attached to any of them. They’re all temporary. What matters most is having a relationship with Jesus and sharing His love with others. When you live for Him and His glory, you will store up treasure in heaven where it will last forever.
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