“You Can’t Take It With You!”

By Glen Elliott       Nearing his death, Alexander the Great gave orders that he be buried with his hands empty, uncovered, and protruding outside the casket. Supposedly, he wanted others to know that he was leaving this world with nothing. The man who had conquered the world was leaving empty-handed. That’s a sobering thought for all who are caught up in accumulating material possessions! From what we read about Alexander’s latter years, it seems that his life had lost its purpose. With no more worlds to conquer, he left this life with empty hands and an empty heart. He had nothing left but an empty grave.     Alexander was right in his assertion that “You can’t take it with you!” The apostle Paul writes: “we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either” (1 Tim. 6:7). Perhaps, you’ve heard of ancient Egyptians who were buried with their treasures in vast pyramids. The treasures of ancient pharaohs have long since been plundered. Their souls did not abide where their wealth had been buried. They couldn’t take their treasures with them because it simply cannot be done.     Christians do not take their treasures with them when they die; but send it on ahead while they are living. Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19–21).     If Alexander had hoped in Christ, his hands may have yet been extended. Not as empty-handed, but as receiving that which has been promised -- an eternal treasure in heaven.

- Glen Elliott preaches for the Greenbrier church of Christ in Greenbrier, AR. He may be contacted through the congregation's website - https://www.gbcofc.com/