IN 1975 a new situation comedy series appeared on British televisions - The Good Life - featuring two couples, Tom and Barbara Good, and Margo and Jerry Leadbetter. As their surname suggests Margo and Jerry, the wealthier and socially-superior couple, thought that they led better lives than their near neighbours.

Tom and Barbara had a different approach to life; and as their surname suggests, they attempted to lead the good life. The 'good life' was counter-cultural and a total rejection of commonly-held values where money, possessions and social standing were king. Many decades after the sitcom The Good Life left British television screens. Many people still aspire to the 'good life.' But it is not the good life of homegrown vegetables. No, this good life is more akin to the values of Margo and Jerry.

Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Jesus is not condemning money, possessions or social standing - but instead, offers an opportunity to stop, to think and to reassess what matters and what lasts.

The good life may be the return to a simpler and less cluttered form of life, or the good life may be one of busyness and achievement. But, more or less money, many or few possessions, highlife or lowlife - what you treasure is what you become; where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Rev Brian Streeter, St Mary’s Penny Bridge, Benefice of Egton cum Newland, Lowick with Blawith and Colton