Hi friends, I want to begin today by sharing a poem I wrote a couple of years ago.
24 Karats
Peter rabbit had a habit
Of hopping down the bunny trail.
Overall, you’d have to say,
His life was very swell.
One day, he saw a message
Posted on a nearby tree.
It told about a race to be held,
For creatures such as he.
He thought to himself
For just a minute,
“Should I enter this race?
I bet I can win it.”
And so, he put his name on the line,
And looked to see who else had signed.
A turtle, a billy goat, and a tiny coach roach,
Were also waiting for the race to approach.
He thought, “I’m in a real good position,
I’m sure I’ll win this competition.”
As the day of the big race came close,
The thing that excited him most,
Was the prize his win would bring,
It was a 24 karat gold ring.
The karats sounded like a delicious thing,
He didn’t catch the part about the ring at all.
His carrot garden hadn’t done well that fall.
Well to make a long story short,
He was really quite good at this sport.
He crossed the finish line, way ahead of the rest.
And won the prize for being the best.
When the 24 karat ring was given for first place,
You could see the disappointment on his face.
He wanted 24 carrots, not some silly ring.
Ungrateful he said, I don’t have any use for this thing.
Since the racing committee
Was left with the prize,
They sold it for charity.
A decision that was very wise.
It turns out, the ring was worth quite a treasure,
If Peter had sold it,
He could have bought thousands of carrots,
All for his own pleasure.
That’s just like when people settle
For treasures here on earth,
But miss out on Heaven,
A treasure of much greater worth.
This rabbit failed to see the value in the treasure that was offered to him just like some folks get so wrapped up in the treasures of this earth that they miss out on the greatest treasure of Heaven. If you haven’t read Matt.6:19-21 lately, go back and read its warning to us about where we store our treasures, for that is where our heart is. Even as Christians we often lose sight of what treasures are really worth seeking. Consider these questions taken from the lyrics to a song I wrote called “Did you Store Treasures” and think about where your treasures lie.
When the Lord returns, to come and take His children home, will you be ready, and eager to go? When Jesus reappears, will you be clinging to your treasures here, or leave them gladly, for the ones in your new home?
Did you spend your days, searching for the Father’s ways, to love on others, the same way Jesus would? Did you encourage folks, lend a hand to give them hope? And spend your time and talents, to help others when you could?
Did you store treasures in Heaven as you served the Lord down here? Is your crown of righteousness waiting there? Will you stand before your Savior, hear Him say, “Come, faithful one. You have finished well the race that you have run.”
Give some thought today, about where you’re storing treasures. God bless you ’til we chat again. Nancy