Don't Bank on Your Bank!

“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”.  Matt. 6:19-21

Several years ago, while still working for Head Start, my husband, daughter and I traveled to Orlando.  Unlike many people who travel to Orlando, our destination was NOT Disney World.  In fact, Jessica had to wait a few more years before she had the opportunity to visit the “Magic Kingdom”.  Instead, we were attending the National Head Start Association convention.  I was to receive an award for the NHSA Disabilities Coordinator of the year. It was a big deal, I suppose, to receive that award, but deep in my heart I believed that the only reason I received the award was due to a lack of competition.  Whether that’s true or just my own insecurity tapes playing in my mind, I’ll never know.  Anyway, I do have a nice looking award that looked nice near my desk at the time.  And to be honest, my ego was stroked for a short time.

Anyway, it was while shopping in Orlando that I found today’s feature elephant.  Just looking at it brought out that “inner child” – the playful side of me. This elephant is also a bank, but that’s not why I chose it. Hand-painted blue polka-dots, yellow toenails, bashful smile and whimsical eyes, all against the bright lime green spoke out to me, “buy me, buy me.”

Though I didn’t purchase it for its function, the bank provides a useful metaphor for the treasure in my life.  I’ve been pondering this idea of what I treasure since Sunday.  Our adult class at church has been viewing a video series by Dallas Willard. Last week's discussion covered the role our “treasure”—what we value most—plays in our lives.

Like most everyone in our Western culture, I have found—and continue to find—pleasure in such things as awards, accomplishments or material things (new furniture, appliances, clothing, etc.)  Unfortunately those treasures don’t last.  The award was great at the time (despite my self-doubt) but now it’s sitting in a closet!!  It’s not likely that I’ll be able to sell it at a garage sale or give it to a thrift shop.  New clothes can lift my spirits but will be out of style before too long. 

Banks are places where we keep another treasure—money. People value money for different reasons but all value it for what they are able to get for it: prestige, material things, experiences or basic necessities.  Too many people, unfortunately, spend their entire lives attempting to get enough money just for the necessities.  Forget about the new car or trip to Europe!  To be honest, more money can give a person more opportunity, higher quality of life; relieve the anxiety of making ends meet.  But none of that (money, or what we buy with money) will follow us to the grave.

And I have to remind myself of this daily. God’s grace is not for sell.  No amount of money will buy God’s grace.  But the heartening thing is that we all have equal access.  No Affirmative Action plan required.  God took care of that over 2000 years ago.

I can save my pennies in this little bank; I could save hundred dollar bills in it, too.  But none of that would get me one day closer to heaven than I am already.  There’s a lot of comfort in knowing that I don’t have to earn a single award, win a blue ribbon, have the largest house on the block, or even be a pastor!  It doesn’t matter.  What matters is that my heart can house the greatest treasure of all.  Grace.

What’s in your wallet?  Probably money, or credit cards.  What’s in your heart?  Treasured Grace, I hope.