Storing Up Treasures
By Jen Wollner
"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
A couple months back, I watched an interview with Candy Spelling, widow of the late Aaron Spelling. Mr. Spelling was a television mogul, producing such successful shows as Dynasty, The Love Boat and Beverly Hills 90210. As you would guess, his financial fortune is worth billions of dollars. In the 1970’s the Spellings built a 57,000 square foot home in Beverly Hills dubbed, “The Manor.” Among other things, it has a movie theater, bowling alley, gym, beauty salon, gift-wrapping room, library, tennis courts and two swimming pools…amenities that many small towns don’t even possess! Mrs. Spelling said the home is so large she’s not even sure how many rooms it has (it’s reportedly 123, but who’s counting).By Jen Wollner
"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
As the viewers got a tour of the home, Candy Spelling showed off all of her collections and possessions. The entire third level of the home is a humidity-controlled attic space where she keeps everything that isn’t on display in the house. She has also saved many of her children’s possessions from their childhood. Things like art projects and Halloween costumes are organized and neatly stored in boxes.
Later in the interview, Mrs. Spelling talked of her relationship with her daughter, Tori. The two are estranged, reportedly over a rift about Mr. Spelling’s money. According to Candy, she doesn’t know where Tori lives and she has never even met her one-year-old granddaughter.
As I watched, our verse for today came to mind immediately. Candy Spelling has an abundance of material wealth, but does she have any “treasures” that cannot be destroyed or stolen? Will she ever be able to repair her relationship with her daughter and, thus, have the opportunity to have a lasting impact on her grandchildren?
We may not feel that our lives are at all like Candy Spelling’s, but if we look closely, I’m confident we could find some similarities. It’s easy to get distracted with the treasures of this earth, isn’t it? Maybe we focus our energies and resources on our career, clothes, collections or health. Don’t you wonder what would happen if we sincerely asked God to help us break away from all that and find our greatest treasure in Him, and in impacting the lives of others? We are sure to receive eternal rewards that put “The Manor” to shame!
GOING DEEPER:
1. Make a list of all the things you do and spend money on this week. How much of your time and resources go toward storing up treasures on earth versus treasures in heaven?
FURTHER READING:
Matthew 6:24; Amos 3:10
Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads Oakwood’s Fresh Start ministry.
