YOU CAN TAKE IT WITH YOU WHEN YOU GO

What? Did I misstate that? Just keep reading. Airlines, along with car drivers, are battling higher fuel costs. Air fares are soaring like eagles. Free airline snacks are no longer free. Bag and baggage requirements are also going to empty your purse or wallet. It is either pay per bag or don't take it with you when you go. Hmm, seems like I have heard that statement before, but not in connection with airlines.

 

The rich farmer, whom God called a fool, appeared to think that he either would live forever, or that he could take his goods with him when he went, Luke 12:20. In our vernacular, Jesus said, "No way--not even for a fee per bag." Paul says, "We have brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it," 1 Timothy 6:6. It has been wisely observed, "There is no trailer behind a hearse." I once had a SABC student rebut that statement by saying, "If I can't take it with me when I go, then I'm not going!" I chuckled, "I've got

news for you. . ."

 

Another place where people take their baggage is into marriage. Whether we like it or not, we are products of our past. We take our role models from our parents. This may be harmonious or it may cause sparks to fly. Each spouse has preconceived expectations--he will be like my dad--she will act like my mom. Everything will be wonderful. No, it won't, because the other spouse has just the opposite expectations. That puts a marriage in a "clash" by itself. Time for counseling has arrived. No doubt, Paul wrote Ephesians 5:21-33, not only to explain the mystery of the church as Christ's bride, but also to break the code of conflict in domestic relations. Yes, you may leave and cleave, Matthew 19:5 [KJV], but you most likely will take your personal, emotional baggage with you into the marriage. There is a "price" attached to that "baggage," too. It is usually more costly than airline baggage, I might add.

 

Okay, so we can take our baggage on to a plane (for a price) and we can't take our baggage to heaven (at any price). But wait, there is something we can take to heaven. Jesus told the rich ruler, whose money was clouding his vision of heaven, to rid himself of his hindering possessions and he would have "treasure in heaven," Matthew 19:21. Well, maybe you can't take it with you, but you can send it on ahead! Of course, the other thing that you can take with you is your own precious soul, if Jesus has saved you. Jesus guaranteed that those who left all and followed him would inherit eternal life, Matthew 19:25-30. Heaven is the home of the soul--the saved soul, that is.

 

Before Alexander the Great died, he ordered that his empty hands be shown outside of his casket. His reason was to show that even a great conqueror goes into eternity "empty-handed." Regarding our worldly goods, that's true but not true in another unique aspect. As the strains of the old familiar hymn asks, "Must I go and empty handed? Must I meet my Savior so? Not one soul with which to greet Him--must I empty handed go?" It has to do with sharing the gospel with the lost. It has to do with evangelism. We need to pave the way for our children to go there. We need to influence our friends. We need to lead our work-mates in the way of righteousness. It is better to meet them in heaven than to encounter them in hell. There is an old saying that states, "The gates of heaven are shut to him who comes alone." So, take your loved ones with you when you go, even if they go before you do!! See, you can take it (them) with you when you go!  "So pack up your converts in your old kit bag and smile, smile, smile!"

 

Love you all,

 

Al--"the Horne of Africa." 

 

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