Treasure

​From about mid-May to beginning of September, I didn't but any clothes. It was quite a challenge, because I like thrift shopping and enjoy fashion! And it seemed all my favorite stores were having huge sales during that time! But at the beginning of summer, I had made the decision to not buy any clothing and just make due with what I had.

There were many reasons for my deciding this, but the biggest was just a sense that I should; that God wanted me to take a break from clothes shopping. 

When I made this decision, I didn't know God's reason for asking me to do so. And even now, I'm not entirely sure. I wouldn't say I'm obsessed with shopping or fashion, or that it was getting in the way of my relationship with Jesus. But whatever God's reason, He knows best, so I decided to keep away from clothes shopping and let God grow me through it.
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As I was talking with my sister over the phone one day, I told here about this decision, and her reply was, “I've decided to do that too!” So having 3 ½ months of shopping withdrawals was bearable knowing someone was going through it with me!

A passage of Scripture I've heard taught from quite a bit is Matthew 6:25-34. In my NIV Bible, this passage is titled “Do Not Worry”. The two things we are told not to worry about are food and clothes.

After not shopping for clothes for the summer, I read this passage and the ones surrounding it, and some new insights were brought to light about worry, needs, desires and God's provision.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”   Matthew 6:25-34, NIV

It's easy to confuse our wants as needs, especially when we are pressured to dress a certain way, drive a certain car, live a certain lifestyle.

I don't worry about what I will wear in the sense of worrying about actually having clothing, but I do spend time thinking, “What will I wear?” I worry about my physical appearance; if I look beautiful. But I see from this passage that I need not worry about this, because I am valued by God. I don't need to dress or look a certain way to have worth.

“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, NIV

Treasure means: wealth or riches accumulated, any thing or person highly valued or prized.

Clothes are fun, but they will fade. They get worn and torn, we outgrow them (or accidentally shrink them), we slop food down the front of them... And the same goes for all material possessions. 

I don't want my heart to be in a place where it can be stolen by people I'm trying to impress or destroyed by greed for more possessions. A deeper relationship with Jesus should be the riches we strive for. He should be the one we prize above all. 

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”   Matthew 7:7-11, NIV

I love how in these passages, God is referred to as our Father. He is the perfect Father, full of love and care, and He sees each of His children as beautiful. I can go to Him with my concerns, and seek provision for needs and desires. And He will always provide what is best for us. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't mean we only get the bear minimum... no, we are showered with the best gifts!

Our abundant life may not be in the form of designer clothing or the latest technology, but when we seek Jesus first, we find the greatest treasure in knowing Him, rich in love, joy, peace, strength, wisdom, and more. And this is a treasure that will never be destroyed.   

The post Treasure first appeared on The Overflowing