The past two weeks our small group at church has been studying Matthew 6. We have walked through these scriptures verse by verse. I have read this chapter many times over but during this time of study, it has spoke to me and challenged me in areas of my life. I wanted to share some of my thoughts with you.
The scriptures talk about in verse 19-21 (19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ” ) I feel like through out my life I have tried to follow through with this verse. I don’t desire large homes, cars, clothes and stuff. I have always felt uncomfortable with having these things and knowing this is my temporary home.
But what has been chewing at me over the past two weeks is more of what I do see as important. My money saving methods. Stockpiling is one of them. Before you get scared that I am going to say stockpiling is wrong, keep reading. I promise you, I am not going to claim that.
What I have had to evaluate over the past couple of weeks is how much I value it and stress over it and also not use it / or plan to use it to minister to others for Glory to God. Here are some points that I have come to that I feel is right for me and lines up with scripture.
- Stockpiling is not wrong, it is wise.
- As a Christian, I am able to use my stockpile to bless others. I have a resource available to me to build a care package or cook a meal quickly to bless others.
- Stockpiling allows me to not spend as much on my grocery budget and I am able to use that money that could have been spent on food to invest in others. A need for food, a need for housing, gas, diapers, etc.
- Stockpiling is wrong for me when I stress over the supply getting low.
- Stockpiling is wrong for me when I start to brag about the size and quality of my stockpile.
- Stockpiling is wrong for me when I start to depend on it for safety and not the provision that the Lord has for me. Matthew 6 : 31 – 34 Tells us…”31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
