Hearses, Trailers and Graves

 “Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.” Psalm 31:5

It has been said of the dead “They can’t take it with them and there are no trailer hitches on the hearse carrying the dead.” Indeed, the words of Job are true:

 ”Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return.” (Job 1:21)

When the hour of departure to leave this life and we enter into eternity; earthly riches hold no value to the departed, “They can’t take it with them.”

Jesus, speaking to this subject, gives this warning about seeking temporal possessions:

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.” (Mat 6:19)

Jesus exposes this truth, when we value “treasures” that are collected on earth they may not even last until we die.

The words, “Into thine hand I commit my spirit” have been recorded as being said by many holy men in their dying testimonies. Of all the men to say these words, none was greater than the “Son of Man” when He said:

“And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” (Luke 23:46)

What we treasure determines what we collect. In Jesus’ words of warning, He also gives us this advice, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” (Mat 6:20) How do you know if your “treasures” are in heaven or here on earth? This is a rather easy question to answer. Jesus, speaking to this very subject, said:

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Mat 6:21)

Where is your treasure? Take a close look at your life and see what value you place on your possessions and how they are positioned in your life. Do you love God more than your “stuff”? Job, after losing all his wealth, did not curse God. Even the loss of his loved ones did not move his faith. Job, living in a painful affliction, rejected his wife’s encouragement to curse God and die. Job had “committed” his spirit to God.

Check out your treasure. It is there you will find not only your heart but where you have “committed” your spirit. If you find your heart in your temporal possessions perhaps you should take the advice that Jesus gave to His followers in Laodicea who said:

“I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” (Rev 3:17)

Jesus' counsel to these Christians whose hearts and faith were resting in their personal wealth and who were spiritually, “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Rev 3:17) He told them to sell off their temporal possessions that held their hearts and to:

”...buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” (Rev 3:18)

What holds your heart? Is it the power of “stuff” you have in this world? People you love, possessions you amass and good health are all subject to loss in your lifetime. The only thing you will take with you in death is what you have "laid up for yourselves in heaven.”

Today would be a good time to take the “trailer hitch” off your hearse and buy the “white raiment” that Jesus has for you. Today, not when you face death, is the time you should say the words “Into thine hand I commit my spirit.”