We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can't take our riches with us...People leave this world no better off than when they came. All their hard work is for nothing - like working for the wind. (Ec5:15,16)
While visiting someone in the hospital, I noticed that they only had a change of clothes, a bottle of water, two books and a phone beside them. Because they were so unwell, their life had reduced to these meagre possessions and the drips and medical equipment surrounding them. It no longer mattered what car they drove or what area they lived in, what mattered was the state of their health and their recovery.
A short time later I visited a family member in a rest home. This person owns a nice home overlooking the harbour, a late model car and has money in the bank, but none of these things is available to them because they need twenty-four-hour nursing care.Despite what they own, someone else has power of attorney and they can't use it or sell it. And I suddenly knew for myself what Jesus meant about storing my " treasure in heaven..where thieves do not break in and steal." (Ma6:20) Incapacity had stolen these people's ability and rights to enjoy their worldly possessions. The only treasures they still had in their possession was the treasure, if any, that they had stored in heaven and the love of those around them.
These people were in a similar position as a young child that inherits everything their parents own. ...If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. (Ga4:1) Naturally speaking, these elderly people have had their rights taken away and they are under the control of others. It was a sharp reminder that life is brief and what I have is only on loan, including my family and my freedom.
A lovely lady once counselled me to hold everything in the open palm of my hand, to allow God to take away or add whatever He sees fit. This has not been easy but I know that I am only a steward of whatever God has given me and tomorrow it could all belong to someone else; except my relationship with God and my treasure in heaven.We are merely moving shadows, all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. (Ps39:6) Job lost most of his worldly possessions and all his children in one day but He said, "I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the Name of the LORD!" (Job1:21) What an attitude to cultivate!
God's word reminds me that everything I think I own is really His: "If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is Mine and everything in it." (Ps50:12) ...What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift. (1Co4:7) Jesus said, ...Life is not measured by how much you own." (Lu12:15) But it is important that I am careful with what God has loaned me because, "And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?" (Lu16:11) I want to be entrusted with the true riches of heaven and not to be one of those who ... worshipped and served the things God created instead of the Creator Himself, Who is worthy of eternal praise! (Ro1:25)
I am very thankful for everything that God has loaned me, for His abundant provision and especially for His Son Jesus and the price that was paid. But this world is not my permanent home; I am looking forward to a home yet to come. (He13:14) And when that day comes, if my family put all my stuff into a skip to go to the rubbish dump, so be it! I certainly won't need it where I am going!
Praise the Name of Jesus!
These scriptures are quoted from the New Living Translation second edition except where stated otherwise. Where there are three full stops (...), part of the verse has been omitted.