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Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. Luke 12:15 NIV
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34 NIV
In the Gospel of Luke Jesus is rudely confronted by a man who asks him to tell his brother to divide the family inheritance with him. The savior responds with a parable about a man who has stored up much earthly wealth but is not rich toward God. He goes on to speak of the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. They do not sow or reap, they do not labor and yet the Lord provides for them. He admonishes his followers not to store up temporal treasures but eternal ones, for where your treasure is your heart will be also.
Ken Gire elaborates on this passage in his wonderful little devotional book, Moments with the Savior; “Life. It’s about more than what is necessary to sustain it. It’s about where we put our trust and where we put our treasure. It’s about being rich toward God.”
One of the things I love about the wilderness experience is that it teaches us to live simply and be content with just our basic needs being met. I have been on many backpacking trips where people will bring much than they need. At first it seems that you cannot live with that little trinket or fancy new device, but 20 miles in you will inevitably wish that you had left it at home. On the trail we return to the natural rhythms of life, waking with the sun, bedding down by the light of the moon, relying only on what we can carry on our back or glean from nature.
Western society has a way of placing so much value in material things. Recently I have found myself worrying if my family and I will have what we need in the future. I’ve found my heart pulled towards material things and the desire to store them up here on earth. The Lord has been gently reminding me through His word and through His creation that He will supply all my needs. My true treasure is not of this world, and moth and rust cannot destroy it. May you be rich towards God and rest in the assurance that if you seek His Kingdom first all the these things will be added unto you.