Trudi Hall of Baytown, TX, has told of an
experience that she and her husband shared on a recent trip:
There was a man that Keith and I met last year on a ship we took from Barcelona,
Spain to Galveston, Texas. The ship crew was handing out little “Monopoly”
dollars (fake bills from the board game) for every activity one participated in
on-board. The “dollars” could then be redeemed in the gift shop for over-priced
cheesy trinkets.
While we took every opportunity to go ashore and experience the beauty, history,
and culture of Europe, and look up long lost friends along the way, this fellow
was like a gerbil on a wheel, running from shuffleboard to ping-pong, collecting
his "dollars." He missed out on Alecante, Malaga, the Canary Islands, and the
Bahamas, but I'm sure he polished his miniature golf skills along the way.
In the end, we have wonderful memories of our time together, a strengthened
relationship, and a bit more understanding of the history of the world.
He has a backpack with the ship's logo on it.
While not all of our opportunities will be as thrilling as our ocean journey, I
believe that each one affords us the opportunity to use it for our growth and
blessing, or squander it.
The man with the Monopoly dollars is not the only one who gets focused on
“trinkets” and misses out on the REAL treasures of life...
The world has NOTHING to offer except trinkets, for the things of this world are
only temporary (2 Corinthians 4:18; 1 John 2:17).
The REAL treasures of life are spiritual and eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). These
treasures are enjoyed in a right relationship with God through His Son, Jesus
Christ.
Even though we were lost in sin, God sent His Son to die on the cross to pay the
price for our sins (Romans 5:8; Ephesians 1:7). Through Him we discover the REAL
treasures of forgiveness, hope, and eternal life. These treasures belong only to
children of God. When we by faith in His Son (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins
in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are
baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), we are “born” into
the family of God and become heirs of an eternal inheritance (Romans 8:16-17).
As long as we remain faithful to our Heavenly Father, He has promised to give us
these REAL, SPIRITUAL TREASURES.
Don’t be duped by the cheesy trinkets that the world has to offer. Discover the
real, lasting treasures that are found in a saving relationship with God.
Won’t YOU accept His offer on His terms?
David A. Sargent
davidsargent1@comcast.net
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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