“But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” 1 John 3:17

A Lesson From the Castle

I recently visited the Hearst Castle in San Simeon. It sits high upon a hill with a glorious view of the ocean surrounded by thousands of acres of lush green hills and dales covered with purple lupine. There is a long, winding road to the top where the monstrosity of an estate sits in which, once upon a time, only the rich and famous could visit and stay. I’d visited the castle once before as a teenager and the same impression I had then came back to me this time as well—it is garish. As I walked through the Grand Room Tour, another impression came that overshadowed the first and may only come with maturity: such opulence that really isn’t doing anyone a great deal of good.

Yes, works of art, tapestries, and ornately carved furniture and fixtures from the 15thcentury have been preserved for anyone willing to pay for a ticket to see it, but here is the thing: all that wealth was given over to the state of California, and now the taxpayers must take care of it.

So what is the lesson? It starts and ends with a few questions. What am I doing with what God has given me? Am I storing it up on earth to pass on to someone else who will have to take care of it, or am I using it to further the Kingdom now? I would do well to take heed to Jesus’ words:

“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. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

“Father, please help us to store our treasures with You in heaven. Teach us how to use what You have provided to us today for Your purposes and glory, and to meet the needs of others no matter how large or small. We want Your love to abide in us. In the name of Jesus, Amen.”