I pulled in the driveway after getting home from church last Sunday. I noticed a new four-wheeler sitting in the yard of the house next door. And it’s bright blue. Brand spanking new. A young man from the neighborhood bought the house a year ago, and is remodeling it with his dad. It’s a great father son project, but the house is still unlivable a year later. Who knows when he’ll actually move in. But it’s this new “vehicle” that got my attention. The young man already owns four vehicles, and he’s only twenty-five years old. Why does he need so many cars/trucks/jeeps/whatever they are? I get it. He loves cars. He’s an auto mechanic. And now he’s bought this toy. If he ever gets to move into this house, he could walk to his parent’s house. I walk by their house on a regular basis, and it’s not that far away. Maybe a block on a good day.
Here’s the thing. I’ve noticed his “need” for toys comes honestly. That’s how he’s grown up. His parents own a very modest home. There could have been room on their lot to build a garage for their two vehicles, but instead they built a barn of sorts that houses two of their son’s vehicles which he never drives. And who knows what else is stored in there. The son works on other people’s cars in his off hours in that garage, and there’s room to store other tools and toys. And they have three, yes three, sheds on their small property. Each of these are packed full of things. Multiple air conditioners. Tubs filled with who knows what. Tools of all sorts. Tiling tools that have been used only once. And the dad has his own four-wheeler. Plus, they have a camper in the back yard. They also have a tractor mower and multiple other lawn tools. They also own at least two trailers to haul equipment. One is an open bed, and the other is enclosed. The parents also built a cabin in the southern part of the state where they go to relax and unwind. Needless to say, they’ve spent a ton of money on things. Some of these things have been used only once and then set aside. Others are used on a regular basis. They have every kind of toy a man could want. And now the son is following in his father’s footsteps.
I just don’t get it. I often tell myself that I hope they’ve saved as much money for retirement as they have spent on needless hobbies and interests. But I don’t know. I’ll probably never know. Maybe the dad has a good pension that’s he’s counting on. I’ll never know that, either. I don’t need to know those things. And these are not wealthy people. They most likely aren’t college educated, not that one needs to have a college degree in order to be highly compensated. But they don’t live as if they’re highly compensated. Or, do they? I hope they’re not deeply in debt, but I’ll also never be able to confirm that. I definitely don’t want to know if that’s the case. But I watch and notice these things, and I’m just in terrified awe of their spending habits.
I wonder about this family. Do they ever step back and just look at all the earthly possessions their hard money has bought for them? Do they fondle and admire it? Do they worship all those manmade objects that sit used or mostly unused? Is that what brings them fulfillment? Do they ever contribute money to a charitable cause? Oh. I know they willingly loan out their equipment to friends and family. I’ve been the recipient of their generosity. But in the whole scheme of things, do they think more about what they can do for themselves over what they can do for others with that paycheck they get? I just wonder.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21
Yes, it’s true that we do need to save money for emergencies and retirement. For vacations and extracurricular expenses. It isn’t wise to spend every cent of our expendable income on fun and unnecessary entertainment. As Solomon says in Ecclesiastes, there is a season for everything. And that includes saving money. We must be wise in how we make money, spend it and then save it.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
Earthly treasures will moth, rust and decay, of that we can be sure. Also, thieves can break in and steal every last material treasure we have stored up on this earth. It’s a known fact. Nothing is safe if it isn’t protected and stored correctly. And I must say, these “treasures” that the neighbor has stored in all his sheds aren’t necessarily bad. I’m sure, at one point, they were deemed necessary. But now they sit stored away never being used. The man has told me that he has bought items and then used them only once. And he keeps them lying around. Just in case.
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. Matthew 6:19-21
But I’ll tell you what these treasures or toys or whatever you want to call them can’t do for this family. These “things” can’t bring peace in times of trouble. They can’t give eternal life to the souls of these family members. Sure. They can be sold and the money used to help someone in need or pay an unexpected bill. But that’s not what’s happening.
I wonder if this family has ever considered storing up treasures in heaven. Treasures that will not doom them to an eternity in hell. Have they considered the eternal cost of placing their bets on material possessions on this earth? I don’t know. We haven’t had those conversations.
We spend too much time pursuing the things we think will make us happy or fulfilled without considering our need to pursue God. Toys and earthly treasures will only fulfill us for a short time, and then we’re on the hunt for the next big thing. But the lifelong pursuit of a relationship with Jesus Christ provides a lasting fulfillment that keeps getting richer and stronger with each breath we take. And it isn’t dependent on the size of our bank account or the number of stuffed sheds on our property. It’s the steady building of a close relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s in the daily decision to obey our Heavenly Father and doing his will. If you haven’t done so, repent of your sins today. While you still have time. And then begin storing eternal treasures that will never rust, rot or decay.
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36
Mercy for the Day 