“Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God” Luke 12:21

The Tibetan word for attachment, do chag, translates as “sticky desire.” Author Joshua Becker writes about this sticky desire that drives our insidious behavior for accumulation. “We have been told since our birth that possessions equal joy. And because we have heard that message so many times and from so many angles, we have begun to believe it. As a result, we spend our lives working long hours to make good money to buy nice stuff. People who live their lives in pursuit of possessions are never content. They always desire newer, faster, or bigger because material possessions can never satisfy our deepest heart desires.” The Book of Job begins with an introduction of Job as he is described as a blessed man who lives righteously. He is suddenly beset with horrendous disasters that take away all he holds dear, something that Jesus speaks to today. We can lose everything we have accumulated in the blink of an eye. We must learn from Job and realize our greatest treasure is faith in God. God will always remain faithful to those who put their trust in him: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). We can’t take our possessions with us when we die. Life teaches us that possessions can only offer temporary and empty happiness. They can never provide the true joy and happiness our hearts seek. Strive for the better path – the one that matters to God – our holiness. Life on earth is far too short and valuable to waste on accumulating material possessions. Seek first the treasures of heaven.

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