The old saying–which, by itself, is only half a saying–goes “you can’t take it with you.” The “it” in question changes depending on the circumstances, but the point being made remains the same.
People are too in love with the world. The things of the world offer fleeting fancies that are hard to let go of. Because of that, people choose the temporary pleasures of now in lieu of the eternal paradise to come. And yet, for all the obsession that men have to accumulate more and more wealth the fact is, as the saying goes, you can’t take it with you.
You can live your entire life without ever having more than a few hundred dollars in your bank account, or you can live your entire life with hundreds of thousands of dollars just lying around, the end result is the same: When you die, it stays and you go.
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.Luke 12:19-21
The rich farmer in Jesus’ illustration thought his abundance of stuff ensured him more than a comfortable life; he thought it ensured him years added to his life. Notice that he says “laid up for many years; take thine ease…” The farmer thinks because he has enough stuff to last many years that he is somehow guaranteed to live to enjoy that stuff for many years.
To that attitude God says: “Fool!” He who lays up treasures for himself and refuses to be rich toward God (not just in terms of monetary donations, but in giving Him our lives) will waste his life in a vain desire to acquire, being able to take none of it with him.
We need money to live, certainly. And our desire to be comfortable in life often tempts us to desire more and more and more, but we should never forget the warning of God: You can’t take it with you.
Think about it,
have a great day
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