A pastor friend of mine shared his recent experience. He accidentally lost his backpack that he often used. Many daily items were suddenly gone, including his favorite phone charging cable. Thankfully, his mobile phone and wallet were not in the backpack and so were not lost.

        In life, we experience a lot of gains and losses. Our emotions would be affected when we lose something or when some accomplishment cannot be sustained. Yet, what really matters is we can keep the important things for a long time. This reminds me of Scripture: “…their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames” (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).

         A day will come for everybody to leave this world, often at an unexpected time. When it happens, we would hope we could bring our treasures and accomplishments along. The truth is there is absolutely nothing that we can take with us. We will never forget the story of Alexander the Great. This great emperor in history conquered the three big continents of Europe, Asia and Africa. In his thirties, he already held immense wealth, power, and ruled over many nations. Then he suddenly fell seriously ill and was dying. Before he died, he asked his officials to make two holes in his coffin and have both his hands stretch out from the two holes during his funeral and burial. He wanted to tell the world that he left empty-handed, with nothing at all!

          For those who belong to God, we can take many things with us when we leave. They are treasures that last forever. The Scripture says: “The world and its desires pass sway, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17). What we do on earth in accordance with the will of God will last forever. It will not be lost! All that we build for the Lord and for His gospel will remain. We will also receive a glorious reward. Even though everything we own on earth will pass away, yet in the glory God gives, we can be fully satisfied. Still, some who belong to the Lord only spend their lives chasing this world. They build great works on earth which are only wood, hay and straw. When the fire of testing comes, they will find that they are only rich on earth but are poor in heaven. When they return to the Heavenly home, they will find themselves like a stick pulled from the fire. They are saved, but only just. They lose the reward they could have had.

          Missionary Jim Elliot and his four co-workers risked their lives to bring the gospel to the Auca people in Ecuador. In the end, they were killed by the indigenous people and became martyrs. Before his death, he left behind a famous saying that reflects his values: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”