Attic Treasures

Each trip up the folding staircase reminded me that it was time. Over the course of several years more and more boxes had been hauled up the tiny wooden stairs to be stored in the attic. When I would go up there to check on something,

I would be reminded it was time to clean out and get rid of what wasn’t necessary. If it had been there for years without looking at it, I didn’t really need it. However, it was always too hot, too overwhelming, too… Well, you get the idea. But the weekend was set aside to tackle the Attic Purge.

How many of us hold on to things we no longer need? The reasons are many…I might need it later, it might be worth something someday, it evokes such strong memories, my spouse won’t part with it. Whatever the reasons, we tend to accumulate things and it is often hard to let go.

A great scripture in times like this is Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

I know both types of people…ones who hoard and want to make sure they keep anything that may have a use in the future, and those who pride themselves on not holding onto anything. However, most people are somewhere in the middle. A healthy perspective is to hold on to things loosely so if lost or broken, we are not devastated.

God wants us to enjoy things here on earth; however, they should never move into a higher position than God or our family and friends. A little further in the Matthew 6 passage, we see verse 33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” What a promise! As put God first in our lives, He provides what we need. And when God provides, He does so abundantly.

As you reflect on these verses, are there any areas of your life where you are clinging too tightly to things that won’t last? Are those things distracting you from your relationship with God and others? If so, ask for God’s help to release those things to Him.

Also reflect on where you are putting your time and energy. Are you working only to obtain earthly treasures, or more eternal rewards? Remember that what you get here on earth won’t last, but what you do for God’s kingdom with last for all of eternity. Now that is a great return on your investment!