My grandparents lived through the World War Two and then through some very tough times in Poland. They used to tell us stories about how difficult it was to live during that time -- being fearful for their lives and often not having enough money for food and clothing. Whenever I visited my grandparents’ house, I would see my grandpa or grandma saving things that they might need in the future, things I would normally throw away. They would be saving them, hiding them, and keeping them for later -- just in case. A piece of rope, an old iron, a broken umbrella, some buttons, an old broken radio -- you name it, they would not throw things away. They were not hoarders, but the poverty they experienced in the past taught them that everything has some value and can be used for something in the future and might even save you when you were desperate. My grandparents are gone now, and all the stuff they have accumulated needed to be tossed, thrown away. They were wonderful and holy people, always ready to help and to share what they had with others. They treasured the gift of faith and prayed on their knees each day. I am glad for that, because I know that they not only stored the material things just in case they may need them, but more than that, they made sure that by their good deeds and holy lives, they also stored up for themselves a treasure in heaven. Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”
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