Funeral Finances

Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

Luke 12:15

IT’S INTERESTING what nobody ever says at a funeral. You rarely hear statements like these: “But most of all, he had an airtight 401(k)” or “I just can’t get over how awesome his pool was” or “Can you believe this guy’s car?”

At a funeral, people don’t comment on the deceased’s possessions, because when someone dies, what remains of his life is what he invested—not in stocks or mutual funds or real estate but in the eternal and precious commodity of people. Some of the most well-attended funerals memorialize people with few earthly possessions. And yet their lives touched many other lives. They served the Lord by giving all they had and all they could to the people God called them to serve.

Whether you realize it or not, you have already begun to plan your funeral. The statement of your life—what will be remembered—is being written today in the choices you make. Will you abandon yourself and live for your Creator, or will you live for yourself? Will you build up a nest egg of temporary treasures, or will you send your wealth on ahead to the Bank of Heaven?

God has gifted you with one life, one chance to display His glory in the circle of influence you have today. What are you doing with this chance? Are you making “the most of every opportunity in these evil days” (Ephesians 5:16)? Every day counts. Every choice matters. Choose wisely.

BOTTOM LINE

Financial security is important, but eternal reward is much, much more important.

Moment of Strength: Matthew 6:19-20