Last fall, I had a contents sale of my mother's personal stuff that she no longer needed or would have use of, as she had moved into a retirement facility. There were glasses, dishes, oil heaters, a wall unit, a sofa, a table and chairs, books, bedding, two television sets, and so on. The sale went well, but I still had two carloads that I delivered to the local Salvation Army thrift store.

I brought all her clothing to the retirement facility, her new home, and with her permission, sorted what she would continue to wear and what I could give away and recycle. Mom did not realize that she owned over fifty pairs of pants, along with matching tops, and then some! During her almost five-month hospital stay, she had lost some weight, so many of her outfits were too big.

Sorting through all those items that mom and dad had purchased or collected over the many years that they were together, I became aware that this was her life's stuff that I was sorting and selling. Now that mom is in her new retirement home, she doesn't need them anymore. As she ages, she will need fewer and fewer of the material goods that she retained, but her spiritual treasures will become more and more important to her.

Matthew 6:19-21 – Do not store up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (NASB)

Is emphasis on material goods in your life holding you back and keeping you from being free?

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for reminding us not to lay up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. Help us to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven instead. Thank You for the process of retirement and aging that helps us to focus on spiritual treasures. Amen.

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About the author:

Rosemary Hagedorn <rosyhagedorn@gmail.com>
Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada
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