I’ve shared before that I am, by nature, a saver.

For instance, if I want to buy a book at the bookstore, I’ll first check to see if my library has it. Why buy a $30 book if I can borrow it for free?

Cole, however, didn’t receive the saving gene from me. No, Cole’s a spender. He loves to spend money. If he gets cash for his birthday, it burns a hole in his pocket until he can find something to spend it on.

I guess part of that is being a child, but I’m a little concerned about Cole’s future financial outlook.

Another thing Cole loves to do is offer to pay for everything. Want an ice cream? Cole will buy it for you. Need a new big-screen TV? Cole will offer to take the money out of his piggy bank (which probably contains $5 or $10 in coins, at most) and give it to you.

He has no concept of money, but thinks he has plenty of money for whatever he, or anyone else, for that matter, wants or needs.

Cole may not have much money here on earth, but it’s my hope and prayer he will soon receive the riches of God’s grace by accepting Christ as his personal savior. With his servant’s heart — as indicated by his willingness to give up anything he has for the sake of another — I am confident he’ll quickly begin accumulating the treasures in heaven that Jesus discusses in Matthew 6:19-21.

These treasures will be timeless (where neither moth nor rust destroys). These treasures will be secure (where thieves do not break in or steal).

These treasures will identify his relationship with Christ and his desire to serve Christ and others (where your treasure is, there your heart will be also).

Yet even before the accumulation of treasures that Jesus mentions, the children of God are already rich beyond compare.

We’ve received forgiveness for our sins. We’ve been rescued from an eternity in hell. We’ve been given an eternal home in heaven.

We’ve received the constant presence of God within us through the Holy Spirit. We have the opportunity to join Christ in the saving of souls by proclaiming the Gospel. And so much more!

If you’re anything like me, you may not have much money in the bank. But if you’re a child of God, take a few moments and count your blessings. You’ll realize just how rich your heavenly father has made you.

The Rev. Parrish Myers is a local minister living in Braselton. His column appears biweekly in Sunday Life and on gainesvilletimes.com/life.