Firewood

How expensive is your firewood? That's a thought I had earlier today. The Bible tells us that basically our works while on this earth can amount to nothing more than wood, hay and stubble.
( I Cor. 3:12-15) We need to make sure our works are God-honoring. Nothing else matters much. Do all for His glory. I so easily forget this, forgive me Father.

In 2 Peter 3:12 the Bible says ...

"Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."

It was this verse that caught my attention as I looked into our family room at the books and other things we have on shelves there. All I see will be destroyed by fire and intense heat. All I've put money, time and effort into will melt away one day to make way for the new heavens and new earth. How much has my firewood cost me? That's what all this stuff amounts to, firewood. And I've paid a dear price for most of it. Perhaps not much money according to some people, but enough to make me question its worth and the time I've put into gathering all of it.

Even now, in parts of this world, a tree is cut down, cut into usable lengths and seasoned for the winter's use. That tree was eventually used to warm homes and the people they held. That tree's wood was used to fuel a stove to cook meals that would nourish a family.

My 'firewood' will be used for .... what? To decorate my home and make me feel better about myself while I'm here? Yes it does that and I'm grateful for all I have been given. But today, for the first time in my adult life, I see that it's nothing more than firewood. I will leave it all. I will take none of it with me either when I die or when the Lord returns. All this will stay here, to be done away with as Scripture tells us it will.

Dear God, I do appreciate all You've allowed us to have. But, please, dear Lord, help me to rightly value it against the rest of my life here and eternity with You. Let me hold it all with a light hand, and be willing to give it away if You ask that of me. Help me to better use every resource You've given to further Your kingdom. Let me not waste anything but look to You for guidance in using the time, talents, and finances that You give. Let me store up treasure in heaven where moth nor rust nor fire will ever destroy it. Forgive me for placing wrong emphasis on all the things that one day will become ... firewood.

"A man is foolish to invest everything in things that he cannot keep, when he can invest in things that he cannot lose - things that are eternal." - David Guzik