The Old Farmhouse and Treasure in Heaven
In the area where I live, because of growth there are a fair amount of abandoned dilapidated farmhouses around. On more than one occasion my boys and I have had fun exploring them. The process is usually the same. First find the house. Second navigate to the house through overgrown brush. Third, explore the house without getting hurt. Often the houses are full of broken furniture, old family belongings, old books, sometimes pictures and various other family items. Often roofs are partially collapsed, floors rotting away, and various plants and vines are invading the house. The exploration is always a fun adventure to see what we can find.
There is a somber side to this exploration though. While exploring I can’t help but imagine how one day this house was brand new. There was a family looking forward to moving into their brand new house. And one day the house was complete and they did. As I walk through the rooms of discarded, broken, and forgotten items, I can’t help but wonder what family life was like in the house. Where did they put the Christmas tree each year? Where were family dinners held? What were the conversations like at the kitchen table or in front of the fire place?
Sometimes I wish the walls could speak and reveal all the things they witnessed. But they can’t speak. What they have witnessed has long since passed. Even the walls which have witnessed everything are breaking down. One day the house will completely collapse, long forgotten as even those who once lived there have passed on. Often these houses are near busy roads, providing a stark contrast between a long forgotten life and the busyness of people rushing to and fro in their cars going about their busy and important lives.
The story of a dilapidated farmhouse and a forgotten family bring home the point Jesus made when he said in Matthew 6:19-20 when he said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
In the end things in life pass away, forgotten just like an old farmhouse. Dedicating your life to growing spiritually in relationship with Jesus helps you to store up treasures in heaven that will last forever. This makes your spiritual growth very important and worth investing time and energy into. When growing spiritually is tough, remember it is worth the eternal treasure. Nothing on earth lasts forever.
