This Christmas - Store up your Treasures in Heaven!

“Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and devouring insect destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and devouring insect do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matt 6:19-21).”

This year has been one for the story books – pandemic shuts down the world economy! Fear of the Covid-19 virus shut down most countries at least for a season and disrupted life as we know it. Many small businesses shut down and the hospitality industry has been reduced greatly by it. The businesses staying open are required to clean continuously (not a bad thing) and socially distance everyone (very frustrating for social people)! Most places require everyone to wear masks – when I wear a hoodie and the mask, I feel like a robber!

As I took account of our finances, I was shocked to see we have spent more money and gone nowhere these last few months – so what happened? Well, the price of everything has gone up thanks to shortages and so many restrictions due to covid-19 pandemic. We are paying more for the same things we used to buy. In fact, I thought we should be saving money by not going out to eat and yet it seems we bought more (online especially since we could go nowhere)!

However, not all our funds went to shopping online or elsewhere. When the shut down happened, we were alerted to the fact that many ministries were suffering from lack of funds at a time when they were needed more than ever. This was especially true for overseas missions. So, we gave whatever we could and extra since we have been blessed to keep a steady job and survive the pandemic. As we assist the poor, we are storing up treasures in heaven (Matt 19:21, Luke 12:33 & 8:22, and 1 Tim 6:17-19).

In this time of crisis, Peter reminds us that we will suffer trials which will show our character and our faith which is more valuable than gold:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave

us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the

dead, that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is

reserved in heaven for you, who by God’s power are protected through faith for a

salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. This brings you great joy, although

you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials. Such trials show the

proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold— gold that

is tested by fire, even though it is passing away—and will bring praise and glory

and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:3-7).

We are reminded to store up treasure in heaven and not on earth which will not last, after all, we cannot take anything with us when we die. Therefore, we leave our worldly possessions to the next generation. As I consider what really matters is that we are blessed to be alive and surviving in a time of great crisis. Those with jobs are double blessed and ought to share whatever they can with those who are suffering.

So, this Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, may we also rejoice with our family and friends for surviving a crazy year. Remember, it is not about the gifts and the amounts spent on one another, but the joy of being alive to see one another again! Store up your treasures in heaven and enjoy time with friends and family here on earth.

Merry Christmas and may you have a very blessed and much happier New Year in 2021!