STORING FOOD FOR MOTHS

Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19-20)

The Parable of the Pantry Moth

Storing up treasures on earth is like the woman who opened a six-month-old container of crackers and had moths flutter up in her face. She had to throw those crackers away. Or it’s like the bird enthusiast who bought two bags of birdseed. When she opened the second bag, worms crawled out. She had to scatter that seed among the weeds.

The Context

You won’t find this parable in the Bible, of course. I was the woman in both stories, and the pantry moths did more than fly out of the Saltine box and lay eggs in the bird seed. They flew out of a container of rice and a box of cereal. Their larvae appeared on the ceiling of the laundry room. After doing everything I can to get rid of the moths, I’m still swatting a few that appear from who-knows-where.

Explanation of the Parable

When I think of Jesus’ teaching not to store up riches on earth, I usually interpret it spiritually. I focus on ways to store up riches in heaven: by serving in a food kitchen, giving to disaster relief, visiting people in the hospital or handing out Bibles in prison. Treasures in heaven are important, but this week as I battled the pantry moths, I discovered a concrete lesson in Jesus’ words I seem to have missed.

Storing Up

I was storing crackers and birdseed because I got them on sale. But I couldn’t use those items up fast enough, so the money I thought I was saving was actually wasted. I considered other things I store that I’ll never use up. Socks! I don’t wear socks often, but I have an entire drawer full of the things: knee socks, high-top socks, ankle socks, compression hose–even 3 pair of Christmas socks. Earrings, necklaces, blouses, shoes: everywhere I look I’m storing things I don’t use.

Wiser Stewardship

I can’t begin to do the math on the money I’ve wasted over the years, but the lesson is clear. I regularly buy and store too many things. I often feel frustrated when I don’t have enough money to give when a tsunami or a tornado strikes, leaving people homeless and hungry. Perhaps I can be a better steward of my money by not storing up crackers for moths.

Your Turn

What do you store that you’ll never use?