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Program D-7552
How many times have you heard someone say, “You can’t take it with you”? It’s a common cliché we hear reminding us that when we pass from this world, none of our possessions will go with us. And that is true. But I would submit that Jesus made it very clear that you can take it with you when he said:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19–21).
Maybe a better cliché for those of us who are born again through faith in Jesus Christ would be: “You can’t take it with you, but you can send it on ahead.” I think of my parents, who are now with Jesus. They were very simple people, with few treasures on this earth. When they passed, their legacy to us three kids was not monetary; there were no treasures left on earth. But throughout their married life they gave liberally and joyfully to their church, to missionaries, to God’s work in different places. They sent it on ahead, and it was waiting on them when they arrived.
If all of your treasure is invested here on this earth, it’s true that you cannot take it with you. You can amass great wealth, but every penny of it will stay here on earth unless you use that earthly wealth to store up treasures in heaven. And the good news is you don’t have to have great amounts of earthly wealth to store up great amounts in heaven!
So, let me ask you: how much have you sent on ahead of you? If today were your last day on earth, would you have a nice sum invested in the heavenly storehouse? And that is measured not only in money, but in time and other resources. The way you store up treasure in heaven is to invest your money and time and resources here on earth in people: loving people, caring for people, sharing your life and resources with people so that they will come to saving faith and become disciples of Jesus Christ.
You can’t take it with you but you can send it on ahead. With an eternal perspective, which do you think makes the most sense: keeping it here or sending it ahead?