Treasure in Heaven

Proper 14, Sunday, August 11th

Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

"Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

"But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour." Luke 12:32-40

Treasure in Heaven

Not gold or dollars or houses

not power nor reputations

but kindness, mercy and love

the richest touches of heaven.

Beauty and glamour fade quickly

money too quickly and easily spent

love grows more beautiful each day

compassion even more lovely with age.

Selfishness and greed are easy to find

status and control can be won by force

rescuing the oppressed is grueling work

the reward is treasure beyond measure.

When we defend the widow we gain

when we welcome the neglected and orphaned

when we open our hearts, put others first

then we will see our Creator face to face.