A Humble Man
A few weeks ago my great Uncle Cockie Tanzarella died. I didn't know him very well. I only met him a few times. But I know he meant a lot to my Dad and to my Gran who was his sister.
Uncle Cockie was a pastor. He was a preacher. He did a lot of ministry in Petersburg in the 80s, and in the last while he was in Standerton, which is about 2 hours out of Johannesburg.
And so last week my dad and I drove to the AGS church in Standerton, for his funeral. And as I sat through that funeral and heard person after person talk about this godly man and what an impact that he truly had in their lives, I was very touched, so touched that I wanted to share something of Uncle Cockie with you this week so that his life will continue to bless others, even who never met him.
Deep Humility
I want to start by saying this: Uncle Corky was a very humble man. That came up time and time again as people spoke about him. He was humble. He exuded this humility - a man of few words, but of deep humility. His life was all about Jesus. It wasn't about him. It was all about spreading the love of Christ.
In fact, when I read Matthew 6:19-20, I think about him: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth” Jesus said, “where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” That was Uncle Cockie. He couldn't care less about earthly treasures.
Treasures in Heaven
In fact, he lived such a humble life that I think it surprised people. Other pastors and preachers around him had lavish cars and big homes and fancy clothes, and he wanted none of that. He was not interested in treasures on earth, but he lived a humble life of service to God.
This really made me look inside and wonder if I am placing too much stock in earthly possessions. I really want to be like he was - so committed to God that earthly treasures don't really mean much. In fact, I remember standing in the graveyard there at Standerton, and as they lowered the casket down, I thought, You see, earthly treasures mean nothing when you are gone, but it's only what you've invested in heaven that will matter. That was Uncle Cockie - humbly serving and not trying to take them all for himself.
I think he would have fitted right in with the early disciples who left everything to follow Jesus and lived humble and holy lives. Let's learn from him today and not store up treasures here on Earth, but live humble lives of service, building up heavenly treasures that we will one day enjoy for eternity.
