My wife and I were racing across China on a ferociously fast train.  We finally entered Hong Kong where we were to catch a flight back home.  The doors opened at our station, and we were swallowed up by a multitude that rivaled the one at Wal-Mart on Black Friday.

And yet we had to quickly transfer to another train that would take us to the airport.  We plowed our way through the multitude, each of us dragging a very large piece of luggage. 

We finally came to our point of transfer, and I could see that the train was already jam packed.  So, I quickly ran ahead and stuffed myself in.

The doors began to close, but I was safely on board, or at least most of me was.  The doors closed on my arm, with my hand still on the suitcase outside.  Oops!  I had to let go or lose my arm. 

I looked through the window to see the look of panic on my wife’s face as she watched me disappear down the tracks to who knew where.  At the same time my fellow passengers viewed me with disdain, shaking their heads, making a “tch, tch, tch sound which I am sure if translated means, “What a doofus!” 

There is a parable about a guy who tried to do the same kinda thing.  He was a rich landowner who had harvested a bumper crop. “Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. and I will say to myself, “You have plenty of goods stored up for many years; relax, eat, drink, celebrate!”’ – Luke 12:18-19 (NETBible®)

Sounds like a great life – only this is what God had to say to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded back from you, but who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” – 12:20

See – this guy had boarded the train to heaven, but his hand and his heart were still outside the train, foolishly clutching his financial baggage as if he could take it with him.  That’s a no go.  When we die, we leave it all behind.

Jesus concluded by saying, “So it is with the one who stores up riches for himself but is not rich toward God.” – 12:21 

I am reminded of the days we would take our kids to the arcade at the mall.  The games would spit out paper tickets that could be redeemed for fabulous prizes like plastic rings, or foam dice or a set of paraffin teeth

We ended up spending $30 dollars on games for prizes that were not worth 30 cents.   My kids are adults now, and I am pleased to say that they must suffer through the same arcade ordeal with their children. 

Most of us grow up and discover that arcade trinkets are worthless.  But some of us keep on collecting adult style trinkets like property, boats, jewelry, guitars and RV’s.  Nothing wrong with them per se, but they won’t make a difference in our eternity.    

Jesus said something about being, “rich toward God.”  That’s what we need.  We would be wise to use our wealth, our assets, and our opportunities to further the purposes of God in this life and to bless others as well.  That is the currency of heaven.  

It’s ironic.  I was holding a piece of luggage when I should have been holding the hand of my wife.  I could do life without a clean pair of underwear, but not without her.  Incidentally, we cannot take the material with us to heaven, but we can bring along the people we have loved and influenced for Christ.

Well, it turns out that the next station was the last station – also the entrance to the airport – and the next train that came brought with it 2 large suitcases and a somewhat furious wife.

A PRAYER: God help me to take what I have, and to use it for You

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you