Trading Treasure

One of the toughest parts about this season is helping CJ understand that our circumstances are drastically changing. Not that we've given her everything she's ever wanted (just ask her), but we have given her many things she doesn't really need. In this season, we've tried to be realistic with her, while not burdening her with all the details she doesn't need to hear. Still it's hard not to look at the Pottery Barn Teen catalog and make a long wish list...

After our most recent squabble about needs versus wants, I felt the Lord directing me to a familiar story about a young man who had much more than he needed. While it was an object lesson for CJ, God also used it to point out just how much I've filled my life with the meaningless things of this world and just how tightly I've held onto them.

As CJ read the story aloud, I noticed something I hadn't before. Jesus told the rich young man, that if he sold his possessions and gave them to the poor, he would have treasure in Heaven. He wouldn't come away empty handed. In fact, he would have even greater wealth because heavenly treasures can't be destroyed (Matthew 6:20). Yet the young man went away sorrowful (ESV) because he couldn't let go of earthly treasures that seemed valuable, but were poor imitations of the genuine treasures Jesus offered.

Friends, we should not hesitate to sacrifice anything God asks of us. Nothing we have should be more important than Jesus. He doesn't tell us to let go of earthly treasures in order to impoverish us. No, our God wants to give us more than we can ask for or imagine! If our hands are too full with the earthly wealth we've amassed for ourselves, we won't be able to grasp the glorious riches that are available to us in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19).

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of faux treasure. I want the good stuff. The 100% genuine, real deal treasure my Abba has prepared for me. Even if I have to get rid of some things to gain it.

What is He calling you to lay down? Are you willing?