Garbage or Treasure?

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with him. (Philippians 3:8-9a, NIV)

Good Morning!
I watched a man on the sidewalk trying to balance empty pizza boxes, milk cartons, and old newspapers in a shopping cart. The wind picked up a milk jug and propelled it out of the cart into the street. I ran after it with the intention to retrieve it for him; however, he became quite possessive and intercepted the milk jug before I grasped it. And then I realized . . . I perceived that the stuff was garbage . . . he appeared to think of each item as a prized possession.

There is a saying that states: “One man's garbage is another man's treasure.” It is our perspective or reality that determines what is garbage and/or treasure in life.

The Apostle Paul listed his success in the Jewish world; however, he explained that the list was garbage in comparison to knowing Christ Jesus. In fact, the ancient word used for garbage usually meant either excrement or food needing to be disposed . . . yikes . . . that conjures up a distinctive picture.

So . . . stinking, disgusting garbage can be compared to power, possession, or position in the world; while the presence, power, and peace of Christ is the authentic treasure of life. Even so, “garbage” often competes in our daily living with the true “Treasure” of life. Accordingly, there is a choice in every attitude, thought, word, and action to either be stinking and disgusting garbage or an expression of Christ.

Make a choice today.
Assess your attitudes, thoughts, words and actions: garbage or treasure?
Choose the Treasure.
Celebrate the wealth of the Treasure!

Learning with you to choose the Treasure,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)