One of the fastest growing businesses in America is self-storage units. We see storage units springing up everywhere, not only in our local community but pretty much everywhere we travel.  Obviously people have so much stuff that they need extra room to store it all.  According to the devotional for Sept. 13, 2024 in Moody’s Today In the Word, “the self-storage industry in the United States is worth 44.37 billion dollars a year and is expected to keep growing.”  Obviously many people have more than they know what to do with, while countless others in the world are lacking in even bare necessities. 

     I am reminded of a parable that Jesus taught that we might call “The Rich Barn Builder” (Lk. 12:16-21).  Jesus tells of a rich man who has a very productive farm and decides to build bigger barns to store his abundant harvest, essentially focusing solely on accumulating wealth, only to be called a “fool” by God because he neglected his spiritual life. He died that night, leaving all his possessions behind, just as Scripture warns: “Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich. When the glory of his house is increased. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; His glory will not descend after him”  (Psa. 49:16,17);  “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity” (Eccl. 5:10);  “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there” (Job 1:21 cf Eccl. 5:15); “…If riches increase, don’t set your heart upon them” (Psa. 62:10b); “There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being hoarded by their owner to his hurt” (Eccl. 5:13).

     A lesson which mankind seemingly has not learned in all these centuries, in spite of the exhortations from God’s Word is that things will not fully satisfy us, we will always strive for more, thinking somehow that will bring the satisfaction we are seeking. But Jesus  said: “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed, for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions” (Lk. 12:15).   All our possessions are temporary and will never truly satisfy.  The only thing that lasts and what really matters is a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. 

     In his letter to Timothy, Paul addressed the issue of riches and possessions and said that “Godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. but those who want to get rich fall into temptations and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction (like the rich barn builder).  For the love of money (and possessions) is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang” ( I Tim. 6:6-10).  Paul goes on to tell Timothy: “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, and to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed” (vv. 17-19). 

     When a wealthy person with many possessions dies, what does he leave behind?  All of it!  That is why Jesus, in His “Sermon on the Mount,” challenges: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also…But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…” (Mt. 6:19-21,33).

     You can’t take it (worldly possessions) with you, but you can “send it (spiritual fruit) on ahead.”  Do you have a “storage unit” in heaven where you are accumulating heavenly resources by seeking first the kingdom of God and allowing God to work in and through you to bear fruit that will remain  (Jn. 15:8,16)?  Or are you focused on filling up storage units here on earth?  When we stand at Judgment Seat of Christ, all that “stuff” will be burned up. Only what’s done for Christ (sent on ahead) will remain(I Cor. 3:10-15; II Cor. 5:10). 

     Whatever God has blessed you with here on earth, use it to help build up His Kingdom, and one day you will discover you have a “storage unit” in heaven there reserved and waiting for your arrival.

Forever His, Pastor Dave N