What will we take with us?

In 2021 at Wendover, Buckinghamshire British engineers working on a High Speed rail link stumbled on an ancient site once set aside for the dead. This archaeological find paused the progress of millions of Britons hoping to speed up and down the country. Many of the Anglo Saxon graves held bowls, beads, and even silver broaches all showing the deceased wealth or status — signs of taking something of use or value to the next world.

As Paul reminds Timothy, “We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it,” he does so with the preface that, “Godliness with contentment is gain.” (2 Timothy 6:6-7).  Paul is leading Timothy back to the words of Jesus, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth ….” “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” (Matthew 6:19-20). Jesus and Paul are not saying we take nothing with us but that what we take is of a spiritual nature born of devotion to and satisfaction in God. To live our lives we need all kinds of material resources. At times these can become part of expressing who we are or how we perceive our contribution to the world. Yet we are encouraged to see that in glorifying God, in following Jesus, we hold all our possessions lightly, knowing they are temporal and not to be depended on.

Knowing that one day we will join the Lord in eternity, what do we hope to take with us? Have we a sufficiently light grip on our possession so not to become dependent or presumptuous of keeping them?    

My own prayer is; God, in your provision for my life you have given me much, I thank you for this and pray for wisdom to know how best to use all I have in service for you and worship of you.  Amen