Scripture for Today:  Matthew 6:20-21  “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

I saw this man on the beach this morning, very intent on his search.  He must feel that what he finds with his metal detector is worth all his effort.  I imagine he will be finding plenty of coins dropped by beach-goers and maybe a lost watch or two.

The verse today talks about treasure without actually defining it.  It is treasure that is found here on earth and it is temporal.  That is a pretty broad category as one day everything on this earth will pass away to make way for the new earth (Matt. 24:35).  My husband and I have dealt with moths destroying clothes, rust messing up the paint job on cars and we have been victims of theft.  We tell ourselves it’s just things.  Luke 12:15b says, “a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”  And yet, we all have the tendency to store up things.  We treasure what is not going to last.  And unfortunately, my heart gets turned away from what has true value.  I am distracted by the superficial desire for more and better things.

So what has true value?  What are those treasures we are to store up in heaven?  Probably not gold, the streets will be paved with it.  And certainly not precious stones as that is just building material for the gates.  We do know that there will be crowns for our faithfulness that we will lay at the feet of Jesus.  Perhaps the true treasure is being in His presence.  That is a treasure I can enjoy today!