Minister’s Message: ‘Caching’ in on what is important
Published 5:30 am Friday, August 7, 2026
A friend of mine, at the twilight of life, recently presented me with a tabletop replica of an Alaskan cache. He poured detail into crafting this small wooden structure entirely to scale, intentionally weathering it with fire which brought out the look of aged wisdom. Cache food storages have been used throughout time by indigenous groups around the world and these raised log cabins evolved in the 1800s by fur traders to protect food, furs and gear from animals and weather. Today they serve as a classic symbol of survival in the bush and harsh northern wilderness.
Caches also can help us understand the difference between what is temporal and what is eternal. Everything stashed in a cache would be helpful to survive on earth, but what can one store there that will be around for eternity? Or the greater question to ask is, “Will my ‘life’ investments fade with time or endure forever?”
The words of Jesus in the Bible gives us perspective: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
Jesus is not just talking about money or worldly wealth, but he is helping us to understand how important it is to remember that everything on earth has an expiration date. Our houses will crumble, our cars will break down, and investments will rise and fall. Our fame and reputation will disappear and our careers will end, but heavenly investments will never decline. While I do believe it is prudent to gather resources for your needs and to bless others, Jesus is calling his followers to look beyond to the spiritual things that will last for eternity. There are countless ways to do this as an empowered follower of Jesus: sharing the Good News of a relationship with Christ, loving people without boundaries, making disciples, caring for those in need, forgiving those who hurt us, using one’s spiritual gifts, worshipping God, praying faithfully, living with integrity and living out the Word of God. These investments have eternal significance.
As I look at that little Alaskan cache sitting on my shelf, it reminds me that Jesus invites His followers to live with eternity in view, storing up treasures that neither time nor decay can touch. So perhaps the question is not, “What am I storing?” but rather, “What am I investing in that will still matter a hundred years from now…or a thousand?”
Every conversation, every act of kindness, every prayer, every step of obedience, and every person pointed toward Christ is another treasure safely stored where neither moth, rust, nor time can ever reach it. When our hearts are fixed on His Kingdom, we discover that the richest life is not measured by what we can cache, but by what we faithfully entrust to God for His glory and the good of others.
Frank Alioto serves as a chaplain in our community and pastors Roots Family Church.
