Storing Up Treasures... Me? Nah....

 A neighbor of mine came over recently and asked to borrow my hand mixer.  I only have one mixer...a little mixer which we received as a wedding gift.  I barely use it, I don't even really like it, but I had a very hard time handing it over...as if I wouldn't be able to get by without it {rolling eyes at myself}.  Oh, I let her borrow it, and even acted very sweetly toward her, but my heart sure wasn't in it.  Last week I read these verses in my devotional time, and God reminded me of how grudging I can be with my possessions.

Proverbs 3:27-28 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.

Do not say to your neighbor,  "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"—when you now have it with you.

Then last Sunday in our Adult Bible Fellowship we discussed the use of worldly wealth, and the folly of hoarding it and/or making worldly wealth and possessions our idols.

James 4:17 through James 5:1-6  Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.  Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.

Matthew 6:19-21 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. 

Yesterday I read an article on yahoo about the average middle class family.  I realized that although my little family is far below middle class by American standards, I am so rich and so blessed!  God has done that for me!  Love, contentment, satisfaction, joy!  These aren't based on the wealth of this world, but in my relationship with my Heavenly Father who is giving me abundant life... and by the way, who also happens to own the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalms 50:10). 

On to the events of today and those leading up to it...

Over the past 6 months we've had problems with our 'good' vehicle.  To the point that we had to take it off the road and stop running it.  Unfortunately Tom tried to fix it before Christmas, but the problem was bigger than what he had originally thought. At that time we didn't have the money to repair the bigger problem.  We did the only thing we could.  We had to let the truck sit while we waited until God would provide the money for us to fix the rest of the problem.  About 6 weeks ago Tom sold a little junky Toyota 4 cylinder pick-up for 700.00.  This was the money we were going to use to fix our truck, and oh how I prayed that it would be fixed within that 700 dollar budget.  We took it to the shop of a friend of ours.  He 'diagnosed' what he thought was the bigger issue, and we were praising God because it was going to be under budget.  We ordered the parts.  They were on back order so they didn't arrive until this week.  

Today our mechanic friend called and apologized while breaking the news that the engine block is cracked.  No longer an under 700.00 dollar fix....not even close, and we are left with a very broken vehicle for which we are still paying the loan.

God is good and has not left us without resources. I did our income taxes and we are getting a return that will allow us to do what needs to be done.   However, I had plans for that income tax money and it did NOT include fixing the truck. Among other things,  I was dreaming of some lovely updates to my kitchen, including new flooring and some fresh paint.  I did my best to convince my husband of changing how we were planning to use the income tax money (even with the truck broken down) in such a way that would allow me to still do the kitchen, but he disagrees.  Unfortunately I do believe in submission even though it's not ever always easy.  I tried to convince my husband that we could use our return in a certain way (not getting the truck fixed) which would still let me get my updates, but still he does not agree with me.  So begrudgingly I am following his lead. Although I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I had the adult equivalent of a 2 year old temper tantrum about it toward my husband and toward God.

Earlier this week I didn't think I had much of a problem with this 'storing up treasures' stuff.... Ha!  There is nothing like an unexpected circumstance like this to make a girl see her wicked heart that is trying to store up earthly treasures! So tonight I am reminding myself that God is my source of joy, not new kitchen flooring.  I'll admit I'm not completely over it yet, but I'm giving it to God and I am praying that God will change my bad attitude.  

-----------------------------------------

I just have to add that I'm amazed at how God worked out the details of all these things. Even tonight, as I was listening to music with my iTunes music player, the song 'One Thing' by Jonny Diaz began playing.  Another little reminder from God.  Isn't He so amazing, and so kind and patient in His teaching?!

I  bought my ticket and I paid in cash
I thought that this time the ride would last
And lead me to what I am looking for

I  see the world as it rushes by
But nothing new is grabbing my eye
Just everything that I have tried before

Maybe I've been looking in the wrong place
Maybe I've been thinking that the world will
Fill me up full enough but it never works that way

There is just one thing that fills me up
One thing that's true
There is just one thing that satisfies
That one thing is You

Show me everything I did not see
While I was searching the world for what was right in front of me
So much wasted wasting time

I see that I've been headed down the wrong track
Now I don't wanna ever go back
To the way it was all because
You're all I'll ever need

I’m tired of settling for this world and its bitter dreams
There's nothing here that satisfies like You