The story is told of a man who thought you could “take it with you”. So throughout his life he stuffed his money under his mattress and then made his wife promise that when he died she would put his money inside his casket to which she agreed to do. The day finally came and her husband died. At the funeral in her time alone by the casket she stood there whispering to him and then placed something under the fold of the blanket inside the casket. A friend who had observed her couldn’t resist asking what she was saying and what had she placed inside the casket? She explained, “Well, I remembered his final request to place all of his money from under his mattress in his casket, so I deposited the money and wrote out a check for the amount and just explained to him that that was much more convenient for me.”

Ok, it’s a made up story but you must admit it IS funny! Unfortunately the way many people in our world live you would think that they too think they will be able to take it all with them into eternity! But the fact is hearses don’t have trailer hitches. This is not a new trend, in that archeologists through the ages have uncovered graves that contained all kinds of things from riches, foodstuff and even other humans who were sacrificed so the departed one would have resources on the other side of the grave.

Riches can be a good thing depending on how they are used but it isn’t often that a person’s riches are used for the betterment of the kingdom of God on THIS side of eternity. In fact, riches can be a huge stumbling block preventing people from even considering eternity! Jesus said it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to reach heaven. He knew what a problem riches could be. He told the Rich Young Ruler in Matthew chapter 19, after he asked Jesus how he could obtain eternal life, to sell his possessions give to the poor and to come and follow Him. The Rich Young Ruler turned away and was grieved because he loved his riches more than his very soul. Jesus also said in Mark 8:36 “For what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world but lose his own soul?”

How about you? Is your life all about riches? Are you one who stands in line for the MEGA lottery week after week hoping to make it BIG? Is your life characterized with wanting more, more and more? This is NOT what the Christian life is about, constantly grubbing for more and looking desiringly on other people’s possessions and never being content with the things God has already provided.

The Christian life is about knowing Jesus in a personal way, having been born again by the Spirit of God and being so thankful for what He has done in your life that you are willing to do anything, be anything, give anything or even everything away so that HIS KINGDOM is enriched and as many souls as possible can be saved through your stewardship and your love of the Savior.

Nope, hearses don’t have trailer hitches but the secret is you can send your riches on ahead and they will be measured by the saints you helped reach the Kingdom of God. Now that’s a blank check or reward worth waiting for!

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