by: Russell McLaughlin

Rich Toward God

What is really important to you? The Bible clearly reveals what matters most—not only in this life, but in the life to come. In today’s fast-paced world, little thought is given to eternity. Yet God promises a time of reckoning for every soul. Jesus said, “The hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice…and shall come forth” (John 5:28–29). Paul reminds us, “Every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12), and “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Suppose you work hard, save wisely, and accumulate great wealth, perhaps even ten million dollars. At the moment of death, how much would you give to enter heaven? That question exposes the folly of spending a lifetime pursuing earthly things while entering eternity empty-handed. Jesus illustrated this truth in the account of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16). One was rich in this life and poor in the next, the other poor here but rich forever.

Scripture urges us to be rich toward God and to live by faith, recognizing that we are strangers in this world. Hebrews 11:13–16 describes faithful people who confessed they were “foreigners and strangers on earth,” longing for a better, heavenly country—a city prepared by God Himself.

As the old hymn reminds us, “This world is not my home, I’m just passing through.” Jesus urges us to “lay up treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20). Paul adds, “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:7). And Jesus asks, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

We live as though we will never die—but one day, it will be too late to exchange the world for our soul. Think about it.