What can we take to Heaven?

From: Ben Kelley
Subject: What can we take to Heaven?

Every time we plan on taking a trip, we usually start thinking about what we should take with us. If to the beach, we make sure we have swim suits, suntan lotion, etc. A journey to the mountains in mid-winter usually means we carry skis, warm clothing, boots, maybe some insulated underwear, etc. There are certain things, though, that are precluded, either by necessity or ability. We wouldn't plan on the thermal underwear, for instance, if we were going on a hiking vacation in a desert area, neither would necessity cause us to take swim fins and diving masks on a trip to the Arctic regions. Plain old ability would preclude us from taking our bedroom suite on a camping trip. I think you get the idea.

We believers in Jesus are going on a journey some day to God's Home. There are certain things people seem to think they will carry on that trip, judging by their pre-trip activities. We need to look at some of these and see if we are being wise in our preparations, or wasting our time, efforts, and moneys.

By far the largest part of our time and effort is expended on using, acquiring, or seeking after the physical things in life. All the things we can see, touch, and feel occupy the majority of our lives, yet, as an old saying goes, "I've never seen a 'u-haul trailer' being towed behind a hearse!" This is true, even though there have been reports, one as late as April, 2007, in India, of a few people who have loved their cars so much, they were buried in them, and, of course, certain people groups, such as the ancient Egyptians have believed they could take things with them into the "afterlife and therefor had food, water, and other "supplies" buried with them. We all know that archeological discoveries of some of those tombs of Pharaohs, have revealed those supplies were still there beside the remains; they didn't take it with them, after all! We cannot take money or possessions with us to Heaven. We cannot take our jobs with us. We cannot take any titles we have here with us. We cannot take our education and degrees to Heaven. We cannot even take our church denomination with us. A phrase I love to repeat goes something like this: " that denominational name tag you wear so proudly around your neck will do one of two things, it will either burn off on your way down to Hell, or blow off on your way up to Heaven!

The only thing we can take with us to Heaven is other people. We can do that by personal witness, praying for others to be saved, giving out Gospel tracts, giving of our time and money for ministry, and just plain old letting God use us. Why do we spend so much of our time, efforts, and moneys trying to "pack up" stuff we will only leave behind when we die? Jesus, the Christ of God, told us the right order of things, when he said, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV)

Homes, cars, clothes, money, etc., are not evil, in themselves. We need a certain amount of each of them, but we can't take them with us. Why don't we consider investing a little more into what we can take with us? Let us "lay up treasures in Heaven." Let us work, pray, and give in ways that will result in others going with us to Heaven. What can we take to Heaven? Nothing but others, so let's not go empty handed! If (since) then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:1-2 (NKJV)