“Yes, a person goes about like a mere shadow.
Indeed, they rush around in vain,
gathering possessions
without knowing who will get them.”
– Psalm 39:6
One day we’ll be leaving all our stuff behind. Either we will die or Christ will return. Then, all the things we’re “obsessed” with (to borrow an overused term of this cultural moment) will be someone else’s to keep or throw away (or creation will be renewed)! We’ll have left everything behind and won’t care in the slightest. Our lives are short in the scheme of eternity and stuff is only temporary.
Nonetheless, during the short years of our mortal life, we have the opportunity to impact eternity. We don’t have to rush around gathering stuff that we’ll leave behind. We have the ability to invest our time, energy, talents, and treasure in things which are truly eternal: other souls.
We live in an era with unprecedented ways to invest in the global spread of the good news of Jesus Christ and to directly alter both the physical and spiritual well-being of generations all around the world. Transformative care for those in need, both near and far. Global spread of the Gospel in thousands of languages. All are happening now and could use our engagement as followers of Jesus.
Think carefully about how you manage your time, talent, and treasure. Are you investing them in eternity or rushing around in vain gathering things that won’t last (at least not for you)?