19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

In a materialistic society, it’s easy to see the treasures of the earth: houses, cars, clothes, entertainment, jewelry, precious metals, to name a few. Many people in other lands had all of that but lost it all because of natural calamities or violent and ruthless rulers.

Even preppers in Venezuela lost it all because they didn’t know when to flee. After the ruling class took everything from the people, preppers held on to the few possessions anyone could have. They still lost it because they didn’t know when to part with it.

Now, this is not a screed against material things. We all need things in our lives.

It happened a lot growing up and only occasionally today. Somebody is pouring you a drink, and he says, “Say ‘when.’” In other words, you tell the person when you think there’s enough liquid in the glass. When it’s enough, stop pouring. The ‘when’ means to stop pouring.

We’re all guilty of it but we often don’t know when to say ‘when’ when it comes to the things we own.

For example, boat owners say the two happiest days of their lives are when they buy the boat and when they sell it.

Swimming pool owners also realize that the pool, while nice to have, is a big money pit.

Both the pool and the boat often own the owners.

Each of our ‘whens’ is different, but we all have one.

Where’s yours?