Matthew 6:19-20 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Over the past holiday season, I did some Christmas shopping and during my time of gift buying, I decided to visit one of my favorite retail stores. As I was admiring their Fall Collection, a denim jacket caught my eye. It’s the cutest jean jacket ever. The design details and the style pattern of the jacket are very flattering adding a nice feminine touch for either a casual or classy look. So I tried it on, and fell in love with it. Shortly after, I made arrangements with the store associate to have it ordered and shipped to me. It was my first denim jacket purchase and I was so excited! I couldn’t wait to receive it.

Well, weeks went by and then a month had lapsed, and I never received my jacket. So I checked my tracking info and the package had a “Delivered” notification. After viewing the info, a call was placed to the retailer to find out what was going on with my order. The associate explained to me that it was delivered and she provided the name of the person who signed for my package. I never received it. Someone actually stole my item. The retailer was nice enough to send me another jacket free of charge while waiving the shipping charges. My spirits were lifted and I began to wait in eager anticipation for my long-awaited jacket. And you won’t believe it, my jacket was stolen a second time. It was the same pattern. Someone signed for my package and stole my item again. Unbelievable! I was very angry that people would take it upon themselves to steal something that doesn’t belong to them. My heart was broken. An additional call was placed to the retailer to report that my item was stolen a second time. The retailer is probably thinking that I’m some type of scam artist. However, my intent was not to ask for a refund, but to ask if they would honor the price used during the repurchase of the jacket. The item had been on sale. Long story short, the jacket was available in one of their stores, so I drove there and picked it up. And the retailer went above and beyond by expectations and honored the sale price and provided me with a refund. I was very grateful and appreciative of their outstanding customer service skills.

You are probably thinking, “ Wow, you went through all of that just for a jacket?” Yes I did. As the devotional title reads, it’s “The Most Wanted Jacket”. Apparently, it didn’t just capture my attention. It also caught the eye of two thieves who wanted it just as much as I did.

On a more serious note, the spiritual lesson I learned in all of this is not to put to much of an emphasis on material possessions nor idolize them. The Bible tells us of the story of “The Rich Young Ruler” in Mark 10. In the last part of vs 17, the young man asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” In Jesus response to him, He included a few commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Do not defraud. Honor your father and mother.’ Skipping down a couple of verses, Jesus finally told him in vs 21, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” Verse 22 says, “But he (the rich young ruler) was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Ladies, it’s not a sin to have material possessions. It becomes an issue when your possessions have you and you begin to idolize them. When you care more for material goods than the things of the Spirit or you place people above your relationship with Christ, it becomes an issue. Exodus 20:3 says, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” A god can be anyone or anything  you value more than the Lord Himself such as a relationship, a car, a house, clothes, a job, ministry, recreational activities, hobbies, etc.

Ladies, I encourage you as I encourage myself to not put your hope in certain riches or material possessions nor anyone or anything except Christ only. Psalm 62:10b says, “If riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” In Proverbs 23:5b, it says, “For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven.” Furthermore, the psalmist says in Psalm 71:5 “For You are my hope, O Lord God; You are my trust from my youth.”

Ladies, put your hope and trust in Christ alone. Riches and material things come and go, but Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you. He is our Rock, our Fortress, and our Kinsman Redeemer. He loves❤️you very much and He wants your whole heart, not a divided one. Keep Jesus at the center of your life and be a good steward over the riches and possessions He has entrusted to you.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 

Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the Lord with your possessions, and the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.