How important is money to you? How important is property to you? How much of your parents’ stuff do you want to grab hold of when they pass from this life? Have you made money and possessions your idol? Have they overtaken your desire to serve God?
It seems like everyone is seeking to make more money. I know that’s not quite true, but far too many in this world are chasing the almighty dollar. There have been family fights over the possessions of a lost loved one. Yet, all of this will fade away. We can’t hold onto it forever.
I was watching a music video by Craig Morgan entitled This Ain’t Nothing just yesterday and there is this amazing line in it. The song tells the story of a reporter going to interview an old man whose house had been destroyed by a tornado. He proceeds to tell the reporter about the loss of his dad, his brother, his wife, and his own left hand. At one point he says, “There’s things that matter, and there’s things that don’t.” Another line states, “And this ain’t nothing money can’t replace.” The point being that possessions don’t matter.
Jesus telling the person who came to Him in today’s passage the same thing. Let the world’s concerns about possessions be decided by the world. Rather than worry about that, spend time in praise, worship, and thankfulness to God. All that we have will eventually go away. Our eternal life spent with God will never go away. Rather than focusing on the temporary, focus on the eternal.
I know, that is easier said than done. But I have learned that we all can refocus our minds a little at a time. It was not until I went on a missionary trip to Romania in 2004 that this point hit me square between the eyes. Since then, I have slowly been able to loosen my grip on possessions. Still, I am on occasion caught up in it again. I must continually remind myself that possessions are not what matters. What matters is my relationship with Jesus. It’s a continual battle worthy of all our efforts.
I pray we all realize that money and possessions are not what’s really important. I pray we continually remind ourselves of that. I pray each one of us will focus our efforts on our relationship with Jesus. Stop focusing on possessions. Focus on Jesus. Build your relationship with Him.
Luke 12:13-14 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?”
Marty Pressey 