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What the Future Holds

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

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Everyday we hear more about the failing economy – the stock market has dropped again, more unemployment, loss of homes, cost of most consumer goods has risen while gas prices are falling. The New Year does not look too encouraging – at least not when we are looking at it from a financial point of view.

In hard times, it can be difficult to focus on those things that bring strength and comfort into our lives apart from what we can buy. If we let them, financial pressures can even permeate our values so that everything we do, every decision we make is affected by our monetary filter. Money can’t buy the real, lasting treasures of our hearts no matter how much we have or how secure it is.

While money and all the ‘stuff’ we own offer us physical comfort they don’t make us worthwhile. This time of economic strain can serve to remind us to begin counting the blessings that do, the things in our lives that endure and thrive despite financial uncertainty – our faith, our hope, our trust in God who knows what the future holds for each of us.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

by Deborah Piggott
© December 2008