One Thursday a few weeks back, I came home to discover my back door wide open. Broken bits of the door frame were strewn across the floor along with a few small puddles of rainwater and trespassing leaves. A burglar had forced his way into my house and made off with my flat screen television and a number of my tools.

When I walked into my house and saw the spot where my TV once resided, and I realized what had happened, I panicked. I felt violated, anxious, and a bit angry. A million thoughts rushed through my head. What else did they take? What if they come back? What do I do now?

But when I had a moment to bring my questions and fears to God, I gained perspective and peace. Thankfully, no one had been hurt, and in the grand scheme of things, losing a television and a couple of power tools is not that big of a deal. Stuff can be replaced, and God is still good.

Then I put myself in the place of a person who has spent his whole life accumulating stuff. Jesus says that what happened at my house will happen to anyone who loves money and possessions. It may be that no burglar ever comes, but at the end of life or when Jesus comes back, everyone will lose anything that is not eternal. The things of this world—just like my TV and my tools—will pass away. They won’t last.

Jesus says that, instead, we should lay up treasure in a place where it won’t be stolen or decay. He tells us that wherever a person stores up treasure, that’s where his heart will be. Remarkably, Jesus does not take issue with treasure and pleasure seeking as an activity; He only says we should be wise and seek out that which will bring us pleasure forever, not just for a few years here on this earth.

So what is that something?

It’s Jesus. No other person and nothing we could ever possess will fill us with more joy than that which can be gained from knowing our Savior. Paul wrote,

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:7-8).

No matter what you’re facing in your life right now, no matter what you may have lost, and no matter what you may have gained, there is no greater joy than knowing Jesus. And His love can never be stolen from you.

Questions for Reflection: Have you ever lost something that you thought was valuable? What was your reaction? Could you identify with Paul’s love for Christ described in Philippians 3:7-8?

Digging Deeper: Look up Matthew 6:19-21. What is always the ultimate condition of treasures of the earth compared to treasures in heaven? What do the things you value reveal about your heart?

Put It Into Action: Make a list of the things you treasure. Which items on your list will last forever in heaven?