You Cannot Take It with You—but You Can Send It Ahead
Investing Our Temporary Lives in Things That Will Last Forever
Yesterday, we considered what it means to prepare for our journey to the Father’s house. We are travelers passing through this present world, and the possessions surrounding us are only temporary provisions for an earthly life that will soon end.
We may spend decades acquiring houses, furniture, clothing, vehicles, savings, awards, and other belongings. Yet when the moment comes for us to leave this world, every earthly possession must remain behind.
As Scripture reminds us:
“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”
—1 Timothy 6:7
We arrived in this world with empty hands, and we will leave it the same way.
But Jesus revealed something extraordinary: although we cannot take our earthly possessions with us, we can invest our temporary lives in things that will have eternal value.
In that sense, we can “send our treasure ahead.”
What Does It Mean to Send Treasure Ahead?
Jesus said:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
—Matthew 6:19–20
Jesus was not telling us that money or possessions are inherently evil. He was teaching us not to build our lives around things that cannot last.
Everything we possess on earth is vulnerable. Clothing wears out. Buildings deteriorate. Technology becomes obsolete. Investments rise and fall. Valued possessions may be lost, stolen, damaged, or left behind.
But treasure invested in Heaven can never be stolen, corrupted, or destroyed.
To “send treasure ahead” means to use what Jesus has temporarily placed in our hands for purposes that will continue into eternity. We do this when we invest our time, abilities, resources, influence, opportunities, and love in obedience to Him.
We do not literally transfer earthly possessions into Heaven. Instead, we transform temporary resources into eternal investments by surrendering them to Christ's purposes.
A dollar spent only to impress others has temporary value. That same dollar used to feed someone hungry, support the work of the Gospel, or quietly help a struggling family may become part of an eternal investment.
An hour spent pursuing recognition may soon be forgotten. That same hour spent encouraging a discouraged believer, teaching a child about Jesus, visiting someone lonely, or praying for another person may bear fruit far beyond anything we can presently see.
The difference is not always found in the size of the action. It is found in the heart, the motive, and the One for whom it was done.
Salvation Is Not Something We Purchase
We must make an essential distinction: laying up treasure in Heaven is not a way to purchase salvation.
Salvation is God’s gift, received through faith in Jesus Christ.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
—Ephesians 2:8–9
No amount of giving, serving, sacrificing, or religious activity can pay for our sins. Jesus paid that price completely through His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead.
But the passage continues:
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
—Ephesians 2:10
We are not saved by good works, but we are saved for good works.
Our works do not earn us a place in the Father’s house. Jesus alone makes that possible. Our works reveal what we did with the new life, opportunities, and responsibilities He entrusted to us after we became His.
Grace does not make faithful service unnecessary. Grace makes faithful service possible.
Everything We Possess Has Been Entrusted to Us
One of the greatest changes in our thinking occurs when we realize that we are not the ultimate owners of anything.
Our time belongs to God.
Our abilities came from God.
Our financial resources are permitted by God.
Our relationships are entrusted to us by God.
Our opportunities to serve are arranged under the watchful care of God.
Even the breath in our lungs is a temporary gift from Him.
We are stewards, not owners.
A steward manages something belonging to another person. Therefore, the most important question is not, “How much do I possess?” The more important question is:
“How faithfully am I using what Jesus has entrusted to me?”
Some people have been entrusted with wealth. Others have been entrusted with influence, teaching ability, compassion, hospitality, practical skills, or unusual opportunities to reach people whom others cannot reach.
Some assignments are visible. Others are carried out quietly where very few people will ever notice.
But Jesus notices.
He sees the private prayer that no one else hears. He sees the act of kindness that receives no public acknowledgment. He sees the sacrifice hidden from everyone except the person who made it. He sees the believer who faithfully continues serving even when the work appears small, and the results seem uncertain.
Nothing genuinely done for Christ is wasted.
The Poor Widow Sent Treasure Ahead
Jesus once watched people placing their gifts into the temple treasury. Many wealthy people gave large amounts. Then a poor widow contributed two small coins.
From an earthly perspective, her gift seemed insignificant. But Jesus evaluated it differently.
He explained that she had given more than all the others because they gave from their abundance, while she gave sacrificially from her poverty.
Jesus was not impressed merely by the amount. He saw the faith, love, trust, and sacrifice behind the gift.
This teaches us something important about eternal investment: Jesus measures differently from the world.
The world measures size, visibility, popularity, and financial value. Jesus examines faithfulness, sacrifice, obedience, and motive.
A seemingly small act performed in loving obedience to Christ may possess greater eternal value than a highly visible accomplishment performed for human admiration.
We should never assume that our contribution is too small to matter. When placed into the hands of Jesus, even the smallest act of obedience can become part of something eternal.
The Rich Fool Stored Everything in the Wrong Place
Jesus also told of a wealthy man whose land produced an abundant harvest. The man decided to tear down his barns, build larger ones, and store all his crops and possessions for himself.
He told himself that he had accumulated enough wealth to relax, eat, drink, and enjoy life for many years.
But God said to him:
“Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?”
—Luke 12:20
Jesus concluded:
“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
—Luke 12:21
The man’s problem was not that his farm had been productive. His problem was that he viewed the abundance as belonging exclusively to himself.
He prepared carefully for life on earth but made no preparation for eternity.
He possessed full barns but an empty eternal account.
He had accumulated everything he thought he needed—except what would matter when his soul was suddenly required of him.
This is the danger of living only for this present world. A person may appear successful on earth while remaining spiritually unprepared to stand before God.
Investing in People Has Eternal Value
Earthly possessions will pass away, but people will live forever.
This means that some of our greatest eternal investments are made in the lives of others.
When we share the Gospel, teach Scripture, encourage someone to remain faithful, help a person in need, disciple a new believer, forgive someone who has wronged us, pray for the lost, or demonstrate the love of Jesus, we are investing in something that may have eternal consequences.
We may not see the complete results during our lifetime.
A word of encouragement may keep someone from giving up.
A Scripture shared at the right moment may redirect a person’s life.
A quiet act of generosity may help someone understand the kindness of God.
A faithful lesson may be passed from one person to another long after the teacher has entered Heaven.
We often evaluate our service by what we can immediately see. Jesus evaluates it according to perfect knowledge. He sees every life touched, every seed planted, every prayer answered, and every act of obedience that contributed to His purposes.
Our responsibility is not to produce results through our own strength. Our responsibility is to remain faithful to the assignment He has given us.
Our Works Will Be Examined
One day, every believer will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. This judgment does not determine whether the believer is saved. Salvation was secured through faith in Jesus Christ.
At the Judgment Seat, Christ will evaluate how we lived and what we did with everything He entrusted to us.
Paul wrote:
“Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire.”
—1 Corinthians 3:13
Some works will survive Christ’s examination and receive a reward. Other works will be shown to have had no eternal value and will be lost.
This is why our motives matter.
Two people may perform the same outward act, yet Jesus may evaluate those acts differently. One may serve out of love for Christ, while the other seeks praise, control, recognition, or personal advantage.
Jesus does not examine outward appearances alone. He sees the heart.
The question will not merely be, “What did you do?”
It will also be:
- Why did you do it?
- Whom were you trying to please?
- Were you obedient to the assignment I gave you?
- Did you use My gifts for My glory or primarily for yourself?
- Were you faithful when no one else was watching?
Everything done for personal glory will be left behind like the possessions of earth. Only that which Christ judges to have eternal value will remain.
We Are Investing Our Lives, Not Merely Our Money
When people hear the words “treasure in Heaven,” they may think only about financial giving. Giving is certainly part of faithful stewardship, but this teaching reaches much further.
We are investing our entire lives.
We send treasure ahead when we:
- Use our spiritual gifts to strengthen others.
- Speak the truth with love and compassion.
- Care for people who cannot repay us.
- Remain faithful during suffering.
- Resist temptation because we desire to please Jesus.
- Forgive when holding a grudge would be easier.
- Pray when no one knows we are praying.
- Give generously without seeking recognition.
- Share the Gospel with someone who needs hope.
- Teach others to obey the Word of God.
- Perform ordinary responsibilities as service to Christ.
- Complete the personal assignment Jesus has placed before us.
A person does not need wealth, fame, education, or a large public ministry to build treasure in Heaven.
Every believer has something entrusted to him or her.
Every believer has opportunities to obey.
Every believer has an assignment within the purposes of God.
And every believer will one day give an account.
What Are We Packing for Eternity?
Yesterday, we pictured ourselves packing for the Father’s house. But we now recognize that we cannot pack our earthly possessions into a suitcase and carry them into Heaven.
We cannot take our homes.
We cannot take our bank accounts.
We cannot take our titles, trophies, wardrobes, collections, or social standing.
But we can arrive having invested our lives in what matters to Jesus.
We can arrive having loved people in His name.
We can arrive having used our gifts for His glory.
We can arrive having supported the work of His Kingdom.
We can arrive having obeyed Him even when obedience was costly.
We can arrive having completed the work He personally entrusted to us.
We are not packing possessions. We are preparing a record of faithfulness—not a record that earns our entrance into Heaven, but a life that demonstrates our gratitude, love, and obedience to the Savior who gave everything for us.
The Greatest Treasure Is Christ Himself
We must also remember that Heaven is not ultimately precious because of crowns, rewards, beauty, or freedom from suffering.
Heaven is precious because Jesus is there.
Our greatest treasure is not something Jesus will place into our hands. Our greatest treasure is Jesus Himself.
When He becomes the treasure of our hearts, our priorities begin to change. We become less controlled by what the world values and more concerned about what pleases Him.
That is why Jesus said:
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
—Matthew 6:21
Our use of time, money, abilities, and opportunities reveals what we truly treasure.
If Christ is our treasure, we will increasingly desire to use everything He has given us for His purposes.
A Question We Must Answer Today
We cannot change yesterday, and we are not promised tomorrow. But we can surrender today to Jesus.
We can ask:
“Lord Jesus, what have You placed in my hands, and how do You want me to use it for Your glory?”
Perhaps He has entrusted you with a person who needs encouragement.
Perhaps He has given you knowledge that should be shared.
Perhaps He has provided resources that could meet a need.
Perhaps He has opened a door for you to speak about Him.
Perhaps He has given you an assignment you have delayed because it seemed too small, too difficult, or too unnoticed.
Do not underestimate what Jesus can do with one surrendered life.
The things of earth are temporary, but obedience to Christ carries eternal significance.
Final Reflection
One day, everything we possess will pass into someone else’s hands. Our homes will belong to other people. Our belongings will be distributed, sold, donated, or discarded. Even our names may eventually disappear from earthly memory.
But the eternal results of a life faithfully invested in Christ will remain.
We cannot take earthly possessions with us.
But through faithful stewardship, loving service, sacrificial giving, obedience to Scripture, and investment in the lives of others, we can send treasure ahead.
Therefore, let us not spend our entire lives accumulating what we must eventually leave behind.
Let us invest our temporary lives in what will last forever.
And when our journey is complete and we finally stand before Jesus, may we discover that what seemed like small acts of obedience on earth became precious treasures in Heaven—all because they were offered faithfully, lovingly, and humbly to Him.
May our greatest desire be to hear Him say:
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
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Preparing Our Hearts to Stand Before Jesus
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