Treasures in a Dump

The tale goes like this. “Consider the strange story of Alex and Imogene Miller of East Orange, VT. They eked out an existence on a small farm. Alex would scrounge rusty nails from burnt buildings to repair his roof. He drove a ratty VW Beetle, and when it died, he found another even more ratty, and another...the rusting carcasses littered his yard. Alex died in 1993, and Imogene died in 1996. The local church took up a collection so they could be buried in the churchyard.”  Sounds like just another failed life, right?  If you look up the story of A.K. Miller a whole different reality emerges. Miller was actually worth several million dollars.  He had gold and silver bars hidden around his property. He had stocks and bond worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.  He had assembled a collection of Stutz motorcars, which were hidden in crudely built sheds on his property.  What happened to all this treasure?  Since there were no heirs, the government sold it all and collected unpaid back taxes. Strangest part of all, Miller was known for his Bible quotes. Seems that even the treasure of the Word never found proper use in A.K. Miller’s life!

Jimmy Evans, a pastor, in a message on legacy, remarked  "When I die, I want a lot of people to show up and cry real hard!" That might sound a little self-serving, but he was explaining that his vision for life is not to build up a big pile of treasure and then live for himself. He wants to spend himself on God’s church, give his life away, so that he’s made a difference.  I like that, how about you?

Are you hiding treasures in a dump?  Are you putting the riches of your life (that’s more than money, you know) in places where they cannot accomplish any good, produce no real results, and bless no one?  Jesus says “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being." (Matthew 6:19-21, The Message)  We cannot miss the last part of His wise counsel.  “Where your treasure is, there you heart will be also.”  Yes, it is true. Our affections follow our treasure.

Are you loving things or people?

Are you trying to secure life with stuff or in God?

One of these days, sooner rather than later, you will either leave your treasure behind or join it for all eternity. Your mortality confronts you with a grim deadline or an anticipated arrival. What will it be?

So, here’s the word from the Word. "Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences." (Hebrews 9:27, The Message)  Make those consequences glorious. Start now to live as Jesus taught: loving God, loving people. Then, when that moment comes, you’ll close your eyes on this side and awaken to those wonderful words - "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!" (Matthew 25:23, NIV)

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Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,

Sing His mercy and His grace.

In the mansions, bright and blessed,

He'll prepare for us a place.

Let us then be true and faithful,

Trusting, serving ev'ry day.

Just one glimpse of Him in glory,

Will the toils of life repay.

Onward to the prize before us,

Soon His beauty we'll behold.

Soon the pearly gates will open,

We shall tread the streets of gold.

When we all get to heaven,

What a day of rejoicing that will be!

When we all see Jesus,

We'll sing and shout the victory!

Eliza Edmunds Hewitt | Emily D. Wilson

Public Domain

Read more about Miller ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Kennedy_Miller