A U-haul and a Hearse?

My attention this morning really was waning and I didn't connect with much of the reading for today except for a section from 1 Timothy 5-6.  I really found myself focusing on 1 Timothy 6:7 - For we brought nothing into this world and we can take nothing out of it.

I've heard before that you never see a u-haul following a hearse and you know what - that's pretty true!  I don't think I've ever seen a funeral procession that had a u-haul in the midst of it.  I believe this is for a good reason!  When our bodies die, what we've stored up for ourselves will all be left here.  We came into this world with a body and a soul and that's exactly how we're going to leave it!  As a matter of fact when we leave this world - we're going to leave our bodies too!  The only thing that goes with us is our soul. 

This is a kind of freaky thought for some of us, but to others there's great comfort here.  All of my material stuff means nothing to the overall picture of who I am in Christ.  Jesus promised me something far greater than earthly riches and material blessings.  He promised and won heaven for me.  He promised to gather us together and welcome us into the golden streets of paradise.  It promises to be a place where we won't need storehouses to hold our stuff because the blessings will be never-ending!  How great will that be!  How amazing will it be to live in a place where there is no "want" or "need" or anything of the sort! 

So if we know we can't take it with us when we go, why do we value our stuff so much?  Why do we hold our possessions so high and often our faith so low in priority?  Paul is using these passages not to instill guilt in the followers of Christ, but to encourage them toward lifestyles of generosity.  How are you already living generously with the blessings God has placed in your life?  How can you push yourself to be a little more generous with the people around you?  How can you demonstrate your gratefulness for the many gifts God has given you? 

Take time today to embrace and celebrate the wonderful blessing of knowing that Jesus is your LORD and your Savior.  He's the one who died and rose to guarantee your place in the paradise of God. 

Lord, help us to see the many blessings you surround us with today.  Help us to be more generous in all that we do and say today!  AMEN.