You Can't Take It With You

It's not yours.

That's why you can't take it with you. It--this world and the things of this world--do not belong to you. Psalm 24:1 says that the earth, and everything in it, belongs to the Lord. Everything in it. Everything. None of it belongs to us. God owns it all.

We say we know this, and that we live by those words. But do we? How many of us clutch the riches of this world to our side as if they really belong to us? Look at it this way--is God's name on your bank account? Not literally, I'm sure; but even figuratively? It should be. It's His.

What are we supposed to do with God's money?

I'm going to give you some verses to read from a few of Paul's letters. Get your Bible, and look these up. If you want to know what God expects you to do, His instructions are right there in His Word.

I Corinthians 16:1, 2

II Corinthians 8:1-15

Philippians 4:10-20

I Timothy 6:6-10; 17-19

Titus 3:13, 14

What are we supposed to do with God's money?

Use it for His kingdom, His work. We are supposed to give it away. How much? As much as He says. How much is that? You have to ask Him. Ask God what you are supposed to give--He'll tell you. The only question is whether or not you will listen.

What do we get in return?

Not that we deserve anything; after all, we are giving away what doesn't belong to us. But God does promise us much if we are faithful with what we are given. The Bible does say if you give, it will be given back to you, pressed down and running over (Luke 6:38). That's a good reward, for sure.

What Paul says in I Timothy 6, however, speaks to me even more. In verses 6-8 he says we will be given contentment. Then in verses 17-19 he says that those who give generously and willingly will be given life that is truly life.

I like that. I like that a lot. Contentment, and life.

You can't take it with you.

Give up trying.

I know I would much rather be poor, alive and content than rich, dead, and unhappy.


Wouldn't you?