Imagine standing before God. He asks you a question. “What do you have?” You’re not sure what he means. Your life on earth is over and you are standing before him empty-handed. He asks a follow-up: “What did you bring with you?” Then it hits you. He’s not talking about things. He’s talking about what you have on the inside of you.
This sermon explores the idea of interior wealth. In Ecclesiastes 5-6, the Teacher continues to express his frustrations about life. Some things are futile and don’t last, but other things are valuable and endure. What is the difference, and are you living your life as if that difference matters?
In the 4th century, Paphnutius wrote: “I say nothing is ours except what is in our hearts, what belongs to our souls, what cannot be taken away by anyone.” What he says is (mostly) true, but his point is well taken. Are we setting priorities based on what society says is valuable, or on what actually is?
