Are you a hoarder? Or, do you like to get rid of things? Do you strive to get the latest technology equipment? Are you a lover of money/investments and nervously watch the Dow Jones every morning? Do you hold onto things “just in case I might need it some day?” Or, do you see money and niceties as something you can use, but not to become attached to?
There is a story in the Bible about a very rich man who habitually dressed in purple – a symbol of high status – and lived in splendor every day. He feasted on the best foods. He enjoyed the praise he received from others for his wealth and the mansion in which he lived. This man had no time for the poor. No generosity to meet the needs of a poor beggar who laid outside his gate. He felt no compassion for the sick.
In time, the rich, arrogant and prideful man died and was buried. He looked up from his eternal place in Hades, being in torment, and saw into heaven. “Father Abraham, please send someone to cool my tongue for I am in agony in this flame,” he pleaded. But to no avail. Abraham would not – he could not – because there is a gulf between heaven and hell, and no one can pass from one to the other.
“Then I beg you, send someone to warn my five brothers on earth lest they also come to this place of torment.”
Abraham answered, “They have the Law and the Prophets; let them listen to them.” (Luke 16:19-31)
It is a story with a sad and tragic ending.
Paul, a New Testament author, said, “We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” Paul had hope for eternity because he invested wisely. He invested in relationships – with God first and with one another second.
A contemporary man, while not luxuriantly wealthy, was still well off financially. One day this man died. After his funeral, there was a garage sale. A box of stuff sat at the end of his driveway – absolutely all that was left as a physical reminder that he had once lived on earth. The sad part is that it was in a bin marked “FREE.”
What will you leave?
A temporary “FREE” box at the end of your driveway or relationships that will last throughout eternity?