“You can’t take it with you.”
You’ve heard that saying many times. Maybe you’ve even said it yourself when you hear about someone who just blew 100k on a 2022 Porsche 911. Or when you learn of someone who made millions by investing in PayPal when it was first launched. “You can’t take it with you” isn’t a bad saying, especially for those who wish to focus on eternity.
But physical “stuff”—money and possessions—aren’t the only things you can’t take with you when you go to Heaven.
Hi, I’m Lauren Thell, author of Christian YA fiction and blogger for teens who are ready to exceed the world’s expectations.
In This Article
The Question
Robin Williams. Whitney Houston. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Margaret Thatcher. Heath Ledger. Michael Jackson. What do all these people have in common?
Actually, they have two things in common: 1) they were all world-renowned, and 2) they are all deceased.
The motivation to write this post hit me like a hailstone on a sunny day. In the middle of minding my own business and going about my busy life, a terrifying thought occurred to me:
It doesn’t matter what you accomplish, how many followers you have on social media, what your popularity rating is, or how many people recognize your face, your name, or your work. In the end, we will all stand before the judgement seat of God and everything we did or owned on this earth will be as if it were nothing.
The Only Question That Matters
In the end, we will all stand before the judgement seat of God and everything we did or owned on this earth will be as if it were nothing.
Sound harsh? Reality is sometimes harsh. But God isn’t interested in a tally of box office hits, bestsellers, or number-one hit singles. He won’t look at your career, your Instagram account, or your resume. Even your community service record or how much of your paycheck went to charity won’t matter.
Only one question will be asked when you stand before God: “Do you believe in my son Jesus Christ as your Savior?”
I’ve known this for years, and yet when I really, really stopped to think about it, I got chills.
It’s humbling.
So What About Right Now?
Does this mean you shouldn’t strive for success or achievement? Absolutely not! Look at the enjoyment Mozart’s music continues to bring well after his death. Consider how wise leaders, influential authors, and godly business owners make the world a better place. We are all here for a reason, and it’s not to serve as a placeholder. God gives you your talents and ambitions to use for good.
But know that in the end, that’s not what he’s looking for.
You can’t take it with you. Keep your focus on eternity and let that guide you in all your endeavors!
You don’t have to have all the answers.
But, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.
6 Bible Verses For an Eternal Perspective
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2
His kingdom will never end.
Luke 1:33
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
1 Timothy 6:6-7
Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.
John 6:27
Christ is all, and is in all.
Colossians 3:11
Further Reading to Help Teens Focus on Eternity
- Let Your Life Be A Glimpse of God’s Glory: Consider what it means to glorify God in all you do.
- Got some reservations about whether Heaven is all it’s cracked up to be? See Look Forward to Eternity: The Best is Yet to Come.
- Life got you down? From Silence to Song: How to Find Your Heart of Praise
- Consider how God wants you to spend your life on earth in Does God Want You to Dream Big?
- Living in Light of Eternity: A Study For Teens (from the YouVersion Bible app)