What’s Important?

I was looking at the driver’s side of my mini van.
There are multiple scratches along the door.
Not terribly noticeable, but there nonetheless.

Whenever it is trash day, our trash cans have to be pulled out the night before.
The trash truck tends to come very early in the morning.
We keep the trash cans in the garage, so they have to be pulled out once a week.

It is difficult to get the very large trash can…the one the company supplied…out the door.
Since I am in the middle garage bay, it is my door that is used to get outside.
Often my side mirror has to be tilted in order to accommodate the trash can’s size.

Depending on who pulled the car in last, it can be nearly impossible to do this without moving my car.
Apparently, there are times when the trash can is pulled out…just barely.
The support pole is on one side and my car door on the other.
A tight fit.

Thus…the scratches.
It’s nobody’s fault and everybody’s fault…because we have all pulled the trash can outside.
Scratches…not terribly noticeable…but there nonetheless.

When I was younger, there was a older boy in our neighborhood that drove a sports car.
He didn’t live on the same street but had to drive past my house to get home.
There was some fundraiser going on at his school and he stopped by looking for support.

Of course, his car was a conversation piece.
As he was leaving, he asked if anyone wanted to see his car.
I politely walked out…not really interested.

He talked a mile a minute about his car.
How he had a cover for it to protect it from the weather.
How he washed it and waxed it and buffed it…to make it shine.

He went on and on for so long.
I found everything so uninteresting.
I leaned against his car as he kept talking.

DON’T DO THAT! he yelled.
The rivets on your jeans will scratch my car!
He proceeded to pull out a shammy cloth and wipe the invisible scratches.

I don’t know what happened to this boy…I think his family moved away.
I can always replay that scene in my mind, whenever I think of someone holding things in a higher regard than people.

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
(Luke 12:32-34)

Our treasure tells us a lot about the condition of our heart.
What do we find ourselves thinking about?
When we look at our checkbook…where does our money go?
What is our most valued possession?

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
(1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Life that is truly life.
Abundant life.

That kind of life is not found in your possessions.
That kind of life is not found in your job.
That kind of life is not found in relationships.

The abundant life comes only when we are in Christ.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)

He is to be first in our life.
Being in right relationship with Him affects our relationships, our job, and the way we view our possessions.

Everything is secondary to the joy we have in Him.
Abundant joy…even when all the things in our life are taken away from us.

Jesus is first.
Everything else is second.
Then, our priorities will be right.

People are always before things in His Kingdom.
Jesus modeled this all throughout His ministry.

A new command I give you: Love one another As I have loved you, so you most love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.
(John 13:34,35)

Love people…not things…for His Glory.
How else will the world know what is important to us?

Have you asked yourself today…What is most important to me?