Treasures and Tea Kettles

Some of my favorite childhood memories are woven into family visits with my Grandmother and Granddad Stewart. I always felt special the second my sister and I burst through their den door. They’d hug us, exclaim how much we’d grown, and listen to my incessant chatter. A loud whistle would reverberate through the house, and Grandmother would hurry to the kitchen to move the tea kettle from the burner. She’d lift the tin cover from the cake plate and slice big pieces of chocolate cake. We’d sit in the immaculate kitchen with the starched white curtains, red countertops, and gleaming gray floors my Granddad polished the way someone from the local mall taught him.

Many years later, their old whistling tea kettle was passed to me. Possessing this treasure thrilled me, and I always kept the kettle filled with water. One day, I picked up the tea kettle and the bottom fell out. Literally. My treasure had rusted completely through.

Jesus knows a thing or two about rusted treasure. In Matthew 6:19-21, He tells the people “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 . . . for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (NASB)

Our generous God blesses us with good things to enjoy on earth. But often we lose perspective. We get our focus off God and expect temporal things to fill the empty places in our heart. We end up unfulfilled and lonely. Money, fame, new cars, and huge homes quickly lose their appeal when unstable economies, fickle fanbases, dented fenders, and leaky roofs become reality. Jesus desires for us to be rich in the things of heaven because only eternal treasures last.

He knows our hearts, and longs to satisfy us with Himself. His love, grace, and mercy never fail. When we set our hearts on Him, He shows us how to store up treasures in heaven. We can choose kindness in the face of insults, forgiveness in place of bitterness, graciousness and humility instead of pride. The prophet Isaiah reminds us that “He will be the security and stability of your times, A treasure of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the Lord is your treasure.” (Isaiah 33:6, Amplified Bible)

The whistle of the tea kettle is still one of my favorite sounds. Though I have a new kettle now, the trill reminds me of the blessings of family. I’m also reminded to set my heart on the eternal instead of the temporal. Knowing God is the greatest treasure.

Now it’s your turn! What has God taught you about storing up treasures in heaven? Please share your comments in the comment section below.