Where is Your Treasure?

After the dedication I was approached by one person who thanked me for my forthright remarks. They commented that they were impressed that I spoke, on the day of the dedication, about the building wearing out over the years, perhaps even being destroyed through the ravages of time (as were our old buildings). When we started the building process I shared the words below with the congregation. I think them appropriate again as we have weathered IKE but still remained focused on the heart of the gospel and not the things of this world.

“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

I recently had the privilege of speaking at the Salem Lutheran Ladies Retreat in Gretna, Louisiana. As the ladies began to arrive the stories about “it” began to spill out. (Katrina is now referred to as “it” by many locals.) The stories came quickly, the next seemingly worse than the one before. As we began the retreat and introductions started each lady was asked to say something good about “it”. While some struggled to find anything good to say, many gave great and awesome testimony to the gracious protection and loving kindness of the Lord.

There was a lot said about the “stuff” of this world. The treasures, as Jesus would say, that we have laid up on earth, which fade away or are destroyed. One woman, who had lost much, made the most profound statement of the entire retreat. “All of this stuff keeps us fixed on the earth rather than keeping our eyes and lives fixed on heaven. Having all the stuff taken away allows you to fix your eyes heavenward, on Jesus.”

The “stuff” of this world often stands between us and our Lord. We spend our whole lives in a ravenous race to collect wealth and riches which only make us more deeply rooted in this world. Good things created by our Lord have been marred by sin, death, and the devil so that what was meant to serve the creator has itself become our god. How we love the “stuff” of this world. We can’t imagine that we could ever live without the “stuff” we have and the “stuff” we don’t have we sinfully covet and desire.

In the coming month the church and school will embark on a capital campaign to expand our campus. I must admit my excitement over the proposals that are being considered. As various committees do their specialized work the overall plan continues to grow together into one glorious creation. There is no doubt, the new and renovated spaces being proposed would be glorious.

But “stuff” is still “stuff” even if it belongs to the church. Certainly we bless and set apart those earthly things that are used in service to our Lord but that doesn’t lessen our ability to place our hope and trust in such earthly treasures that too will spoil and fade. While new buildings, signage, and landscape may all look glorious, they are not worth comparing to our true hope of glory: Christ in us. If our development plans move forward with the hope of making our earthly dwelling more appealing or comfortable then we have missed the point (and the gospel!).

Driving through the neighborhoods of New Orleans was devastating. Seeing block after block of abandoned neighborhoods is indescribable. Clinging to faith one can only confess with Job, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised!” When our earthly “stuff” is taken away we feel stripped, naked, vulnerable and abandoned. But such things can happen to us. New Orleans was not singled out to be punished because of their sin. Rather, all creation continues to suffer under the devastating power of sin, groaning as in the pains of childbirth (Rom 8:22) right up to the present time.

Under the theme “For Tomorrow” we look forward to bettering our facilities but always with a purpose much greater than brick and mortar. Whatever we build must be to the glory of God for the purpose of expanding His kingdom on earth. Whatever we renovate and remodel must be done for the ultimate purpose of proclaiming the gospel and bringing the life-saving sacraments to those in need. We dare not store up treasures on earth, which can be taken away in blink of an eye.

“For Tomorrow” we provide a place of refuge for those who need so desperately to hear and receive Christ in Word and Sacrament. “For Tomorrow” we provide a place where our children learn to confess the faith given them in Holy Baptism. “For Tomorrow” we provide a welcoming space where those wearied from the sinful world come, and for the very first time, hear that their sins are forgiven for the sake of Christ. “For Tomorrow!”

And then, when what is made with human hands spoils and fades (and it will), we have lost nothing. For all that we have really done is store up treasures in heaven, which will never be taken away.