Lay up treasures in heaven, not in your attic.
The majority of us have a designated place to store items we intend to use at some point in the future. Often it will be the attic of our home. It is not unusual for items to be stored for decades, collecting dust and depreciating.
We often forget the items are stored and forget that someone could make good use of them if we were thoughtful enough to put them where they were needed. Material goods are of no value to anyone while stored. Their value is realized when used for their intended purpose.
For example, a truck sitting out in the weather rusting and depreciating is of little value, but if it is put into the service it was made for, to haul loads, it can be of immense value.
Good intentions can be like dusty items stored in our attic (our minds) if we are not careful. We know that we should help others; we believe that it is our Christian duty to do so. We probably know someone who is having a trial, and we have a thought that we should call or send a card or go to visit.
We delay; we store it in our mind's attic, intending to do it later. Is dust gathering on our intentions of good works? Remember that pleasant words will make the heart glad and can be health to the bones (Proverbs 12:25; 16:24).
I recently experienced the enormous value in receiving get-well cards, notes and assurances of prayers from over 150 brethren across the United States and internationally after a prayer request was posted on the Church's Web site. I was encouraged off the top of the scale!
Don't be too concerned about what to say to encourage. I once had a dear friend who fell sick and continued to deteriorate over time. I knew I should go to visit him, but I so dreaded to do it. What could I possibly say to a person so sick to uplift him?
Guess what happened. After visiting and talking, I was the one who was pumped up!
We are blessed when we give. When we have pity on the poor (downtrodden spirit), we are lending to the Lord. When we do good works to others, it is equated as doing it to our Savior (Matthew 25:34-40).
God is very pleased with our good works for other people. We need to be zealous in our efforts (Titus 2:14). A record is being written (Revelation 20:12; Malachi 3:16).
In conclusion: When the thought comes to mind to do something for someone, don't delay. Make that call, write that note or visit that friend. It might be the Holy Spirit sending the thought. Lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20), not in your attic.
