I once heard a fantastic, short story which gave me a perspective on life that I still use to this day. As in one of my previous blogs “The Garbage Truck Principle”, I enjoy sharing things that I feel may help other people. It is again my hope that today’s posting will, in some way; help you or someone you know, look at life from a different point of view.

One day, many years ago, one of the richest men in the world decided to take the wise man of a village on a hike to the top of one of the tallest mountains. After packing up their supplies and hiking for several days, they finally reached the peak.

The rich man, filled with pride, smugness, and conceit, pointed all around him then said to the wise man, “look around you as far as you can.” “Look to the west, then to the east, the north and south.” “Everything that you see, I own.” “I have spent my entire life acquiring more wealth and riches than any other person in the world.” “Do you see that huge flock of cattle over there?” as he motioned his hand down to the valley. “They are mine” he gloated. “Do you see all of the cities down there scattered around the countryside? I own them too.” “I have more riches and treasures than anyone could ever know!”

The rich man then looked directly into the wise man’s eyes and asked the old man, “and where are your riches and treasures?”

The quiet old wise man then smiled and simply pointed up to the sky and said, “THAT is where my treasure is stored!”

Folks, we all need to understand that while having money and other nice things in life are good to have but they are not the most important things. You see, the most important things in life are not the things that you see but the things that you don’t see. The focus in our lives should not be in how many things that we can get, how much money we earn, or other material items we own…they should be on the stuff we can’t perceive…like how we act and treat others, love our family and friends, and worship God.

We should always strive to lay up our treasures with God for someday, if we remain faithful, He will be the one that will honor us for entrusting Him with our hopes and treasures. Why? Because every man is mortal. It was once said that we will leave this earth the same way we entered it. In other words, we came into the world with nothing and will leave it with nothing. The most important things will be where we decide to store our treasures and what our legacies will be to our loved ones.

Where have you been storing your TRUE riches, treasures, and wealth? If you are like the wise man, you will know where it should go!