You Can’t Take It With You

Meditate.

Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Luke 12:33-34

Luke was speaking to Gentiles, specifically dedicated to Theophilus, but applicable to all Gentiles—even almost 2,000 years later. Luke is recording part of what we know as the Sermon on the Mount as documented in Matthew.

Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:19-21 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Pretty straight forward and simple. Store up the good things in life not as possessions, but as deeds, thought and actions that bring glory to God. Paul expressed this in one of his letters to Timothy.

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (Underlined for emphasis.)

So, what and where is your treasure? If it is a physical treasure or money…you can’t take it with you.

Prayer ~ Lord, help us to value what you value and to “store up” those things in Heaven.

Verse of Salvation ~ Though the LORD is very great and lives in heaven, he will make Jerusalem his home of justice and righteousness. In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD will be your treasure. Isaiah 33:5-6

Friday’s Feasting at the King’s Table

We can’t live on bread alone—especially during these days that are getting shorter and colder. If you are like so many you are probably looking for something to fight off cold and flu symptoms—and all viruses. Did you know that butternut squash has a compound called cucurbitin that is antiviral. It is in the seeds and the membranes around the seeds—that we normally throw away. Don’t discard that—add it to this soup.

Butternut Squash Soup
1 small butternut squash, diced
1 red onion, chopped finely
2 green chilies, chopped finely
4 cloves garlic, grated with a microplane
2 inch piece of ginger, grated with a microplane
1 bunch of shiitake mushrooms, sliced
Vegetable or bone stock

Dice, slice, chop and grate each of the ingredients, and finely grind up the squash seeds and membranes.

Sauté the onion, chilies, garlic, and ginger in a little olive oil until the onion is soft. Add the squash (including ground seeds) and mushrooms. Stir well. Add enough of the stock to cover the ingredients and simmer until the squash is soft. Blend the soup in a blender. It is an easy nice orange, spicy soup that will fight any flu symptoms.

I've made a similar butternut squash soup that has a chopped apple in it. For a variation, you may want to add a chopped apple and saute it along with the onion mixture. Adds a nice sweet touch. Enjoy either way.

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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