To Have Or To Hold?

A successful businessman and his friends were talking and laughing together and enjoying their success.  The businessman told of his childhood of poverty.  Someone had once given him a big coin.  To have a coin was rare for children then, and his little sister begged to hold it.  He laughed over the memory of all the chores he could get her to do for him just to get to hold the coin.  He told of a day when she minded the cows all day for the privilege of holding the coin, only to have to give it up at the end of the day.  All of the men laughed again at the childishness of the sister.

Just then, one man (not laughing), reminded the businessman that all he was doing now in labor and service was the privilege of holding onto a few possessions for a limited amount of time.  “The end of the day is coming, and you will HAVE to give them up... just like your little sister did.”

The Scriptures state: “Do NOT love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17).

Jesus said, “Do NOT lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20).

The Apostle Paul wrote: “For we brought NOTHING into this world, and it is certain we can carry NOTHING out” (1 Timothy 6:7).

Friends, we need to be focusing primarily on those things that are eternal.  The things of this world are temporal, and we can’t take them with us!

Eternal life with God is promised to those who do His will.  This life has been made possible through the sacrificial death of Jesus, God’s Son, who paid the price for our redemption (Ephesians 1:7).  He will save those who respond to Him in faith (Acts 16:30-31), repentance (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confession (Romans 10:9-10), and baptism (immersion) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  God will reward those who continue to follow Him all of the days of their lives (Revelation 2:10).

Jesus said, “Where your TREASURE is, there your HEART will be also” (Matthew 6:21).  Where is your treasure?  Is it in the things you can see and touch which are temporary?  Or, is it in those things that are eternal – the things of God?

Look around you!  Take an inventory of all of your possessions.  Remember, 
“the end of the day is coming, and you will have to give them ALL up."

Don't wait for DEATH to tear these earthly treasures from your heart's grip.
LET GO of things that you cannot keep - in order to gain what you can 
never lose!

Have YOU placed your hope in things eternal?  Why not do so TODAY through your trusting obedience?

God bless you!

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

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