The Gospel of Matthew 6:19-24
Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! “No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
Let us pray the Collect for Labor Day: Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Jesus teaches about the importance of focusing on spiritual rather than material wealth. Jesus advises against storing up treasures on earth, where they can be destroyed or stolen. Instead, He encourages storing up treasures in heaven, which are eternal and secure. Teaching us to prioritize spiritual values over material possessions. What makes a person rich? A worldly person counts himself rich when he has stored up for himself money, stocks, properties, and businesses. Just as a child collects marbles, rocks, bugs, and toys because these things suit his maturity and childish desires. The Chrisitan, however, counts himself rich when he has God for his portion, Christ as his advocate, and the Spirit as his helper. Christians must carefully inventory their storehouses and examine whether or not they have been thoroughly accurate in their accounting. In other words, does your life and what you are laboring toward really matter? Does it have eternal value?
Happy Labor day.
Reflections by Bob 