Thursday, January 3, 2013
Tenth Christmas Day
Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
HERE ARE RICHES WITHOUT MEASURE
We have all known, or at least known of, those whose concern is for earthly riches above all things. In the famous story by Charles Dickens, Ebenezer Scrooge's love of money caused him to denounce the treasures Christmas held out to him. He said, "Out upon merry Christmas! What's Christmas time ... but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?"
Christmas, though, is about being given those riches which cannot be measured, riches that cannot be reckoned in any accountant's ledger. It is about riches such as peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, the joy of a clear conscience through the forgiveness of sins, and the treasure in heaven that is laid up for us already. These are riches worth more than gold and silver, house and home, even spouse and children. These are treasures that money cannot buy. Only the blood of Jesus can purchase them.
So be filled with the treasures that really matter, the treasures that moth and rust cannot destroy.
"And ... though [Christmas] has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!"
Hither come, ye poor and wretched;
Know His will Is to fill
Every hand outstreched.
Here are riches without measure;
Here forget All regret,
Fill your hearts with treasure.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 77:11)