You can’t take it with you—money, cars, homes, savings, investments, antiques, paintings, jewels, all meaningless and useless to us—when we die. We all know this. Yet somehow we still manage to live as if it’s stuff that counts most, things rather than…, rather than what?
When you’re gone, what will you have left behind; and what, if anything, is taken with you?
Most of our time is spent working—making a living. But what is the point of “making a living.” What is the point of living at all? What will your life have meant? Who have you become over the years? What is your life’s direction, purpose, goal, end game?
Your personhood is incomparably worth far more than any costly clothing and jewelry you may adorn it with. In truth, it is not what you have or how you adorn yourself that counts, it is who you are. So, what kind of person are you becoming?
Contrary to popular opinion, your assets are not what make you important. Your significance runs deeper than any of the products you buy, sell, produce, distribute, or save. But, if your life is far more valuable than any investment or riches that you may amass over time, and the substance of your soul determines your actual worth, what is the true measure of your personal significance?
We don’t live long, as time goes. But it’s the quality not the quantity of life that counts, isn’t it? I suppose that’s easy to say, not very easy to live. For one, no one likes the idea of facing the inevitable end. Most of us always want to stretch it, just a little bit longer. But it begs the question. What does a significant, well-lived, quality life look like? What does it mean?
“Though outwardly we are wasting away,” writes the Apostle Paul, “yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). In short, even as our bodies age, growing older and weaker eventually leading to death, our spirits on the other hand, that is, the soul, our inner being, should be expanding, waxing stronger and stronger, and becoming more alive and more full of vitality, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all,” Says Paul (see v.17).
“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it,” Paul also says (to Timothy). “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. … But you… pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. … Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” (See I Timothy 6:3-19.)
What will your legacy be what will your life have meant, when you die?
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