Investing in Things Which Last

On Monday morning, I join four of my grandchildren for a Zoom Bible Study. We are presently studying the Gospel of Mark. In this week’s study we read the following words, spoken by Jesus, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Mark 13:31). Simon Peter reiterated this when he wrote, “The Word of the Lord endures forever” (I Peter 1:24).

This led to a conversation about things on earth that will last forever. According to the Bible, there are only two things, The Word of God and People. Every man and woman and boy and girl that has been born will live forever. If this is true, then were should we, as Christians who will live in God’s presence forever, be making our greatest investments, things that are temporary or eternal?

I Timothy 6:7-8 says, “For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.”

Fame and fortune, houses and lands, and all material goods are going to be left behind one day. The late Billy Graham, once said, “I have yet to see a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer.” Translation? You can’t take it with you. We came into the world with nothing, we will leave the world with nothing.

I remember take part in a discussion with some individuals following the death of one of the world’s wealthiest men. Someone in the group asked, “How much did he leave behind?” To which another quickly answered, “All of it!”

One day, while having a conversation with an orthopedic surgeon, he made the following observation. “Wayne, my greatest handiwork as a surgeon will one day lie in the grave. All of my patients will eventually die and all of the hardware that I implanted in their bones will be buried. But those in whom you have invested the truths of the Gospel, they are going to live forever.”

For the past forty-six years, I have had the wonderful privilege of proclaiming the eternal Word of God to the People of God who will live forever. “The world is passing away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever” (I John 2:17). I am overwhelmed and awestruck by these truths.

If all of this is true, where are you, my brother and sister in Christ, making your greatest investments during your sojourn on planet earth? Remember, you are a pilgrim just passing through. This world is not your home.