Antiques and Modern Treasures

Coastal Living Magazine Photograph

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Antiques and Modern Treasures

Martha Meister Kiely

"Every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old." Matthew 13:51

As a bride I tossed out several valuable heirlooms for no better excuse than that they were old and look very worn. At the same time I prized some streamlined "junk" just because it was so new and shiny. Time and experience have taught me that use and years actually increase the worth of some objects, while articles which are basically imperfect are never of any true value even when new.

The faith of our fathers is handed to us laden with both treasure and trash--good and bad hymns, commendable and atrocious practices, priceless and worthless literature. In the words above, Jesus reminds us that living in the Kingdom involves the continuous process of drawing together the treasure of the past and the present. Ours is the task of preserving the best and purging the worst.

Today "hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good." (Amos 5:15)

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PAUL'S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS

Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for Christians everywhere, I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people. I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else in this world or in the world to come. And God has put all things under the authority of Christ, and he gave him this authority for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is filled by Christ, who fills everything everywhere with his presence. (Ephesians 1:15-23)

Devotions for Women at Home by Martha Meister Keily, Abingdon Press, page 55 ISBN 0-687-10679-6