Decayed Money

James Kane and Barbie Agostini have an interesting hobby they enjoy doing together. They throw a strong magnet, attached to a rope, into local New York ponds to see what they come up with. Last month, they received more than they were prepared for. Their magnet attached to something that was so big and heavy they could barely move it. They eventually pulled a locked safe out of Corona Park pond, and, after opening it, discovered over $100,000 inside.

But there was a downside. Even though the police said they could keep the safe and its contents, the money was so badly damaged and deteriorated from being in the pond for years, the bills were no longer recognizable. A few are in good enough condition to at least be replaced through the Federal Bureau of Engraving & Printing’s mutilated currency redemption program…But they looked nowhere near what was originally put into that safe.

That’s a pretty extreme example of what Jesus taught when He said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20 NIV).

I have to wonder about the circumstances of whoever heaved that safe into the pond…Was it stolen? Was it an attempt to hide money from thieves? Or maybe to hide it from relatives?

But then I think of poor James and Barbie. They’ve got a great story to tell. But wow, what a disappointment after the excitement of initially seeing what was inside, just for it to turn out to be near worthless.

And I wonder if our excitement for that new car, new house, or dream job will feel similar when we wake up one day in heaven. What we think is so great today will show itself worthless when this life is over, when we realize the same energy and resources we put into deteriorating treasures could have been put towards eternal reward.

It’s why Jesus finished His above words with these: “For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:32-33 NIV).