Dear Pacific Union Member:
I just went through a life changing experience. One of the recent California firestorms was burning near our house. My wife and I rushed home from a weekend appointment, hoping to get there in time to save some of our valuables. While we drove, we listened to the news, followed the progress of the fire, and thought about those things we consider valuable. At one point, my wife turned to me and asked, “So, what do you plan to save?” Over the years we’d collected a lot of things, but suddenly it came down to the possibility that we could only take with us what two cars would hold. The rest could be gone in a moment.
With the house under a thick layer of smoke from the nearby fire, we prepared to evacuate by loading our most necessary and valuable possessions into the cars. For the first time in my life, I had to prioritize my earthy possessions. Other than some clothes and picture albums, my most precious treasures were all put in four small briefcases. Though the fire never reached our home, the experience started some serious reflections.
Trinkets Can’t Be Stored in Heaven
At this time of year when so much thought, energy and money is put into buying “things” for others, we need to remind ourselves once again that all these trinkets will one day pass away. Since everything about this life is temporary and uncertain, all of us need to make sure we have followed the wise council of Jesus: “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be” (Matthew 6:19-21, NLT).
Following are a few of the eternal treasures that can be invested in the bank of heaven. As you find others in inspired writings, drop me a note and let me know what you have found.
“We see a retinue of angels on either side of the gate; and as we pass in, Jesus speaks, ‘Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom that is prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’ Here He tells you to be a partaker of His joy, and what is that? It is the joy of seeing the travail of your soul, fathers. It is the joy of seeing that your efforts, mothers, are rewarded. Here are your children; the crown of life is upon their heads, and the angels of God immortalize the names of the mothers whose efforts have won their children to Jesus Christ” (Ellen White, Child Guidance, 567-568).
“Those engaged in active service in the field, and those who give of their means to sustain these workers, will share the reward of the faithful. Every wise steward of the means entrusted to him, will enter into the joy of his Lord. What is this joy? … There will be a blessed commendation, a holy benediction, on the faithful winners of souls” (White, Review and Herald, Oct. 10, 1907).
“There are about us those who have a meek and lowly spirit, the spirit of Christ, who do many little things to help those around them, and who think nothing of it; they will be astonished at last to find that Christ has noticed the kind word spoken to the disheartened, and taken account of the smallest gift given for the relief of the poor, that cost the giver some self-denial. The Lord measures the spirit, and rewards accordingly, and the pure, humble, childlike spirit of love makes the offering precious in His sight” (White, Christian Service, 340).
How would you feel if today you had to walk away and leave most of your earthly possessions behind? Have you invested in the most important things in life—heavenly treasure, your spouse, kids, relatives and friends?
Sincerely your friend,
Tom Mostert, President
Pacific Union Conference
P.O. Box 5005
Westlake Village, CA 91359
