Treasures

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin 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)

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:14-15)

          Normally, when we think about storing up treasures, we think in terms of money. Today, I want to talk about a different sort of treasure: power. We all have a tendency to want to say, “Do you know who I am?” when someone challenges us? Some depend on the power of their political or social situation. They engage in one-upmanship. Others depend on their status as victims. They engage in one-downmanship. The status-victim can hold a great treasure of umbrage or offense. These act as IOU statements, for which the status-victim demands immediate and unending payments.

          The problem is that umbrage and offense aren’t currencies that hold any value in Heaven. Forgiveness does. What’s more, it’s a treasure that grows in value as it’s used, not as it’s horded.