An old saying, really a cliché, most of us know is, “You can’t take it with you.”
It means when you have breathed your last breath, and you approach the “Pearly Gates,” (assuming that is the direction you are headed), you will not be carrying with you what you owned before that final breath.
No matter how much you have acquired while living on this earth, you will be leaving it at the border. That includes not only material possessions, but fame, fortune, your popularity, and even some friendships.
So, why do we behave as if what we do on this side of eternity matters so much? It’s because it is all we know on this earth. We have not yet seen what lies beyond this life, so we hold onto what we know.
We accumulate possessions. We try to earn as much money as we can. We aim for pleasing ourselves and others, and we act like our future depends on what is tangible. We strive for what is right in our society. We fight for earthly goals, often without regard for what is really God’s plan.
I believe we should be kind to others, and obey the golden rule. I believe we need to conduct ourselves in ways that are respectful and courteous. But, that said, what matters more than anything is how we are toward our creator.
What matters is the finish line, the time when we will meet our maker, our creator, who will know whether we had enough faith and trust to depend on what lies beyond what we know on this earth.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) It is faith that tells us there is a God, and we can depend on his goodness and mercy to handle whatever we need. It is God who matters, more than riches, more than fame, and more than whatever we acquire during our lives on this earth.
My paternal grandmother raised eight children. Each of her children also had children, so she had a total of 21 grandchildren. We all called her Ma.
Each of my cousins had close relationships with Ma. She treated each of us as if we were the only grandchild she had. She loved her family dearly, but her one greatest love was her Lord. No one who ever met her would miss recognizing her devotion. She was the same with everyone she encountered.
My grandparents were not wealthy, but Ma would gather around her family and say, “I’m so rich!” She treasured what the Lord had given her. Her richness came directly from her God, and she gave him all the credit.
So, what matters? The kingdom of God is what matters. It’s not riches, fame or anything else we know here, but we can realize his kingdom by acknowledging him in all we say and do, by trusting him, serving others, living righteously, sharing our faith, praying, and using our time and talents to do good things on this earth.
Think about what really matters.
Have a good weekend.
— My love to all,
Nancy
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“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.”
— Matthew 6:20