One of my interests in life is railroads, both full size and model. With that in mind we have access to You tube and will occasionally watch live cameras (cctv) focused on railway operations around North America.

One of my favorites spots is Revelstoke where the camera is mounted on the side of the local museum adjacent to the KCPR main line.

Trains that pass by are bulk coal trains, bulk grain trains, bulk potash trains, and trains filled with the large shipping containers loaded with a great deal of merchandise (stuff).

I watch these containers go by with up to 300 containers. What a huge amount of “Stuff” moving across the country almost on a daily basis. A major part of the world’s economy.

This brought to mind a couple of scriptures that I would like to share with you.

Having experienced the matter of dealing with a house full of furniture etc., after a family member passed away. I am very aware of the process required to distribute the stuff!

We live in the western world as if life goes on forever and we accumulate so many material things.

We fill our houses, our garages, our lockers. We rent a locker to store the stuff we don’t have room for at home anymore. Yet all of these things will be disposed of one way or another.

A few items will go to family members but most will end up sold, given away or disposed of. So where is the value?

The verses I quoted tell us that laying up for ourselves treasures on earth is a waste of time and effort. Yes there are things we need to have to live our lives but collecting “Stuff” is such a waste.

The treasure that is most valuable is that laid up in heaven for us.

What are those treasures we can lay up in heaven?

• Generosity
• Kindness
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Faith
• Hope
• Love
• and the very best is sharing our faith with others and leading them to Jesus.

These treasures that we share mark us a Christians and cause us to lay up those heavenly treasures.

In Luke12: 33 Jesus tells us to even sell what we have, and provide for the needy causes.

The things we own are also susceptible to thievery here on earth whereas nothing in Heaven will be corrupt, or stolen.

And finally whatever we value is where our heart and soul longs to be.

Earth is only a temporary residence while Heaven is for eternity.

Again in Luke12: 34 Jesus repeats the message.

34. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The lesson is simple: the outcome is sure and the heavenly rewards are invaluable.

May God bless you as you lay up your treasures in the vault of Heaven.