Monday 6 July 2015

Treasure in Heaven


Since the beginning of time, mankind has been in search of something better or bigger.  We always have our sights set on the next thing.  We have dreams and goals, aspirations.  As little children we dream of one day being a doctor, fireman, teacher or astronaut.  We fantasize about living in huge castles, stables full of horses and treasure chests filled with untold riches.  
Once we step out into the world as young adults, however, we realize that it might not be as easy as we have believed.  The realities of finding work in a time of work scarcity quickly brings us down to earth.  We discover that it takes money to just make it through life day by day.  Suddenly it dawns on us why our parents said that there was no money for those new rugby togs, or a trip to the fun park.  Everyday things like paying for utilities, fuel for our vehicle and licenses eat away at our paycheck long before we get to spending money on fun and luxury items. We scrimp and save, we work overtime and fine tune our budgets to reach our goals.  We sacrifice time spent with our families and work overtime in order to make ends meet and ultimately to build our wealth.  
Every single parent wants to give his or her child more and better than what he had himself.  We want to provide for them to the best of our abilities.  It is just the way it is.  We all want to leave something behind for our children.  But this I learned from my father:  when a child asks for an ice-cream, buy him one, for there comes a day when he no longer wants an ice-cream.  Of course, this advice does not translate into giving in to our childrens' every whim, no, it means that the little things in life mean so much more than the big things.
My parents were not rich in material things, they were average people.  We lived in an average house, in a decent neighbourhood, went to good schools and college.  
They were not rich.  Yet, the inheritance they left us was wonderful.  Amazing!! Till this day my children still share in it, and I know my grandchildren will one day also benefit from it.  No, they did not leave us stocks or bonds.  We did not find a chest of gold hidden beneath their bedroom floor.  The greatest treasure they gave us, was putting our feet upon the path of the Lord.  They gave us faith, they taught us how to believe and they showed us how to live.  Nothing in the world can buy this.  It is not for sale.  The treasure map they left us is the one leading to heaven.
I never really understood the magnitude of this gift until a friend one day said that she wished she could believe like I did, but she was never taught about God.  Now, as an adult, she found it impossible to put her faith into "some or other higher being".  Suddenly it dawned on me that not only did I have the most wonderful parents anyone could have hoped for, but they also gave me an inheritance that is immeasurably valuable.  My biggest regret is that I never took the opportunity to say thank you to them for this precious gift.
I leave you with this verse from the Bible:

Matt 6: 20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;…

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