Childhood Treasures
Like most people, I have many special family treasures, things I have inherited from relatives—pieces of furniture, dishes, and other mementos that I value greatly.
We begin “collecting things” during childhood. Most of us had toy boxes where we stored our toys, and many of us have held on to certain toys that hold a special memory to us.
As adults, our treasures enlarge – literally. Many valued things over time are less valued, so we move them aside and make room for other treasures. We fill storage closets, garages, and basements with these things.
During the Great Depression, people kept everything that might be needed some day. Saving for a rainy day validated them as being thrifty and hard working. If these items were lucky enough to survive a fire or a tornado or two, those ancestors have passed those items on to us. Society has become enslaved by their ancestor’s inventories. Things tend to validate who we are.
Is there anything wrong with collecting things or saving family heirlooms? No, of course not. But we must remember what is most important to “hand down” to our descendants. Is it a marble-top table, or should it be our religious faith and integrity?
When we are long gone, what do we want our descendants, our children and grandchildren to say about us? Do we want them to value some material keepsake, or do we want to pass our faith on to them, so lasting generations can be godly?
We tend to forget that one child, reared and trained for the Lord, can rear and train others, and they others, and they others (Ps. 78:5-6) and there may be more souls in heaven, all because we took time to train one. The opposite can also be said. If we put possessions and worldly pursuits and other things ahead of the spiritual—and fail to train a child, it means we failed to put the kingdom first (Matt. 6:33). Rob Combs, Minister
Like most people, I have many special family treasures, things I have inherited from relatives—pieces of furniture, dishes, and other mementos that I value greatly.
We begin “collecting things” during childhood. Most of us had toy boxes where we stored our toys, and many of us have held on to certain toys that hold a special memory to us.
As adults, our treasures enlarge – literally. Many valued things over time are less valued, so we move them aside and make room for other treasures. We fill storage closets, garages, and basements with these things.
During the Great Depression, people kept everything that might be needed some day. Saving for a rainy day validated them as being thrifty and hard working. If these items were lucky enough to survive a fire or a tornado or two, those ancestors have passed those items on to us. Society has become enslaved by their ancestor’s inventories. Things tend to validate who we are.
Is there anything wrong with collecting things or saving family heirlooms? No, of course not. But we must remember what is most important to “hand down” to our descendants. Is it a marble-top table, or should it be our religious faith and integrity?
When we are long gone, what do we want our descendants, our children and grandchildren to say about us? Do we want them to value some material keepsake, or do we want to pass our faith on to them, so lasting generations can be godly?
We tend to forget that one child, reared and trained for the Lord, can rear and train others, and they others, and they others (Ps. 78:5-6) and there may be more souls in heaven, all because we took time to train one. The opposite can also be said. If we put possessions and worldly pursuits and other things ahead of the spiritual—and fail to train a child, it means we failed to put the kingdom first (Matt. 6:33). Rob Combs, Minister
1 comment:
Great sermon Sunday-- made me think more about this article. Thank-you.
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