A man who owned a car dealership became better “known for the cars he kept than the ones he sold.” During his 5 decades running the dealership, he held on to select cars that customers traded in, and quite a few new models too, amassing a collection of more than 500 automobiles that he kept parked on a farm. Right before the man died in 2014, his collection sold by auction. The sale drew 25,000 people, was filmed for TV’s History channel, and raised $2.8 million (US). It’s obvious that the owner was really into collecting cars. Yet, when he died, he wasn’t able to take any of them with him.
When writing to Timothy, Paul warned him that amassing money and material wealth were unworthy goals in life. The apostle, probably referencing Job (Job 1:21), David (Psalm 49:17-18), and Solomon (Ecclesiastes 5:15), provided clear logic for his instruction: “After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it” (1 Timothy 6:7).
Paul wanted his protégé to know that a correct perspective on material possessions—money, houses, clothing, vehicles, jewels, and land—remained eternally the same: They don’t last forever, and you can’t take your possessions with you when death comes calling. Any wealth and possessions we have on earth are for this life only.
Instead of amassing material possessions, which are temporary in nature, let’s spend our limited time here on earth amassing the spiritual treasures: knowing God and His wisdom, knowing and obeying His Word, pursuing His rule in every aspect of our lives, and using what we have to bless others and to tell them about Jesus. As we rest in Him, we find treasure that lasts!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 12:20-36
More:
Read Matthew 6:19-24 and see what Jesus says about amassing wealth here on earth.
Next:
What treasures are you storing up that you won’t be able to take with you? What legacy do you want to leave behind when you die?
Gary Shultz on August 30, 2016 at 6:35 am
Marvin, I am sure the references and advice in this article are good and correct, but not many people believe it. Oh, they consider the mention that there is rewards in heaven that life extends beyond what we see. They may even consider what is said about God, but if they really took the words to heart and believed deeply we would look much different. Have I wasted time, energy, and money on foolish things? Yes, and God is merciful, but I’m certainly more aware of those truths than I used to be. I more closely know a Father that is referred to as God Almighty. When you get a grasp of the God who knows us and loves us and want our closeness to Him what do I have of any worth. To do what you mention in the last paragraph. To be His child, His servant, in an obedient response to what He has blessed us with here, and the fact of blessing beyond anything this earth can offer. Who believes that? Thanks Marvin
Tom Felten on August 30, 2016 at 8:20 am
Gary, you nailed it. We can intellectually agree that to pursue God and His riches is greater than material gain. But to live it out is a different matter. Having recently been by the bedside of a much-loved relative, watching her life gradually ebb as she raced into her Father’s arms—it’s plain that death has a way of making plain where and in Whom the greater riches are found. Praying for all of us today—that the Holy Spirit will help us die to ourselves and seek the abundant riches found in Christ alone (John 10:10).
gagirllive on August 30, 2016 at 9:08 am
Amen, Tom. God uses suffering of all kinds as sobering agents to awaken us to spiritual realities, doesn’t He?
hsnpoor on August 30, 2016 at 11:24 am
I’m so sorry for your loss, Tom.
hsnpoor on August 30, 2016 at 11:23 am
Tom took my comment right outta my head; you did indeed nail it, Gary! I’ve had thoughts lately, probably because of where I live in the country, that wealth + technology in the hands of people who have no allegiance, understanding or desire for God, will more than likely be the platform by which the end-time events described in Revelation will be ushered in. Doesn’t it seem like we’re spectator’s at such an event? So much urgency to get about the Father’s business….
gagirllive on August 30, 2016 at 7:40 am
Marvin, I’ve been thinking about this subject a lot lately in light of the recent flooding in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where I personally know people who have lost their homes. Within a couple of days everything they “owned” was submerged in flood waters. It is so easy for me to sit in the comfort of my own home where I am surrounded by familiar objects and say that I hold everything with a loose hand. I am not in pursuit of wealth or storing up a bunch of stuff for my kids to haul off to Goodwill when I’m gone, but I do have my creature comforts. I can only imagine how disheartening the folks in Louisiana and other disaster-ridden places feel to have lost that sense of familiarity that a home gives. Those who do not have God’s perspective must find it incredulous to know that everything they worked hard to accumulate is suddenly gone. I want to believe that I am spiritually prepared for such a devastation, but materialism is a hard and sneaky monster to slay. You kick it out the front door and it sneaks in the back one and takes up residence in your house without you even realizing it. My prayer is that as I continue to pursue godliness, the Holy Spirit will reveal to me any duplicity of heart He finds in me. I only want to serve one master—Christ—and store up eternal treasures that can be taken with me. Thanks for this great devo today, Marvin. Grace and peace to you and all who visit here.
Tom Felten on August 30, 2016 at 8:28 am
You have a way with words, gagirl. Love the “you kick it out the front door and it sneaks in the back one” insight. So true! Where does all the stuff come from??? Love how you closed with a desire to focus on God and His riches!
sandy229 on August 30, 2016 at 10:08 am
Recently there was a fire close to here in the Cajon pass which is a main artery to Nevada and Arizona. The fire spread so quickly before the firemen could get a hold on it. In the end, 105 homes were burned, and about 200 others structures such as other buildings, cars, etc. 85,00 people were evacuated from their homes. It was so devastating. Some people had to flee their homes before they had a chance to grab anything to take with them. Some people refused to leave their homes. Luckily no lives were lost. . Just like you said, Those who do not have God’s perspective must find it incredulous to know that everything they worked hard to accumulate is suddenly gone. I know I am guilty of having to many clothes and every chance I get I give clothes away to anyone who needs them but when I think of all the “stuff” we have accumulated I know we have way too much. You’re right about kicking it out the door and it just sneaks up on you. I pray that through Christ I will be able to pursue godliness. I only want to serve one master-my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I too only want to store up eternal treasures, not things I can’t take with me. Thanks for this insight GAgirl, and thanks Marvin for this great awakeing devo today.
Shalom
gagirllive on August 30, 2016 at 11:53 am
Amen, Sandy. May we both store up eternal treasures more and more as we see The Day drawing near.
hsnpoor on August 30, 2016 at 11:34 am
My heart also goes out to those who have lost, as you say, the familiarity of home. Stuff can and will be replaced, but the attack on the familiarity, I think, is where people really struggle. In the last 10-years, I’ve had a number of increasingly intense personal losses, starting with loss of a job and, up to a month ago, I would have said ending with the death of my Mother (a month ago I said good-bye to a really long run of pretty good health). But, through it all, God has truly been faithful to me and especially when I was not faithful to Him. I have learned things in adversity that I know, that I know, I know, I would have never been able to learn in my prosperity. I have my good days and I have my bad days, but Saints, I won’t complain because God really is good ALL of the time! Don’t get me started telling you about it…:)
gagirllive on August 30, 2016 at 11:58 am
Amen, Kim. I think most of us might fail the test of prosperity than we would adversity. We don’t know just how good God is until things get really bad.
youssef1777 on August 30, 2016 at 8:34 am
ALWAYS TRUST IN GOD . HE WILL PROVIDE ALL OUR NEED BECAUSE HE LOVE US .
youssef1777 on August 30, 2016 at 8:39 am
SHOW CARE TO OTHER PEOPLE AND GOOD TO THEM . THAT WILL GET THEM CLOSE TO GOD . AND PRAISE HIS NAME . WE SHOULD BE GOOD SERVANT THAT WILL PLEASE OUR LORD .
youssef1777 on August 30, 2016 at 8:43 am
WE SHOULD BE HAPPY AND JOYFUL THAT ONE DAY WE WILL LIVE WITH OUR LOVELY LORD FOREVER . THIS IS THE WORD CAN NOT GIVE .
jef on August 30, 2016 at 9:00 am
Goes against the grain of worldly wisdom I.e. amass wealth to secure your future. Giving cheerfully actually frees us from our selfish tendencies. It’s the Father’s way of raising kids not funds.
hsnpoor on August 30, 2016 at 11:35 am
Love that!
minkjh on August 30, 2016 at 6:42 pm
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”. Is it any wonder then that Jesus frequently reiterated this point? In Luke’s gospel our Lord has sobering words for us living on this side of eternity with His parables of The Rich Fool, The Rich Ruler, and to a lesser extent, The Rich Man and Lazarus. I think it was Billy Graham who once remarked ‘we are not cisterns made for hoarding but channels made for sharing’. Praise God for all of you who are channels with eyes looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose builder is God.