In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. (James 1:11)
Expanded Passage: James 1:11
Our family of four took a memorable vacation to celebrate a particular milestone last summer. During that trip, we gave each of our children a small amount of money to purchase a souvenir. My children take this kind of opportunity to invest their money very seriously and can easily spend most of an afternoon trying to ensure that they pick the perfect item. We had an incredible adventure and made memories that will no doubt last a lifetime. Unfortunately, on our way home, at one of our many required rest stops, my oldest daughter chose to take her special keepsake inside with her. About twenty miles down the road, she realized her mortifying mistake; she had left her souvenir! The tears began rolling, and she pleaded for us to turn around and retrieve her lost treasure. While we were tempted to add the extra time to our trip, we knew the lesson was valuable. Holding tightly to possessions doesn’t keep them from fading.
This world has so much to offer, but there is nothing we can take with us into eternity. We tend to grade our earthly life by how much we have accumulated. We lose our kingdom perspective when we overvalue wealth and accomplishment. We must hold loosely to this world so that we can hold tightly to Christ.
Hold your treasures loosely, as nothing lasts past this lifetime.
Holly Atkinson is a graduate of Oklahoma Wesleyan University and Wesley Seminary (IN). She serves as an assistant principal at a private school in Florida and is married to Pastor Derek Atkinson. They have two girls.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
