READ: Luke 12:13-34

We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. -1 Timothy 6:7

The Memories Last

My father passed away on October 29, 2001. As personal representative of his estate, I faced many difficult responsibilities—not the least of which was cleaning out his home and preparing it to be sold. And he had lots of stuff.

After preserving some mementos, my sisters and I planned an estate sale. We invited Dad’s closest friends to come over the night before and take anything that was special to them.

One close friend hesitated. “You’d think that having things from him would help,” she said, “but they don’t. The best things you have are memories. I have plenty of those, and I will treasure them.”

Her words were a real comfort, especially in the midst of estate-sales customers, real-estate agents, furniture consignment store movers, and cleaning crews.

Wisdom from above brought the experience into focus as I struggled to deal with my grief. God causes every situation to help us grow in some way. I knew that, but in something as tragic as losing a close family member, it doesn’t come clear that quickly.

How does that relate to you as a young adult who, tragedies aside, may not have to deal with death for a couple of decades?

You might want to think twice before accumulating a bunch of stuff.

On a practical level, you are creating a lot of work for your survivors. On a spiritual level, people won’t remember you because of the possessions you leave. They will remember you—the times you helped them or made them laugh or listened. Of course, some things are important: photos and letters, for example. What makes them valuable is that they remind people of you and of special times.

I miss Dad terribly, and watching the furniture movers take the last of his stuff to the consignment store was not easy. But a couch or a recliner would be a poor substitute for the memories Dad left us with.

It’s never too early to be wise about how you invest your treasure. Concentrate on what will last. Give of yourself. —John Carvalho

REFLECTION

• Which of my parents’ possessions would I treasure most? Why?
• What quality do I want people to remember about me? Why?
• How will I make sure that I am investing in eternal treasures?

Your best gift is yourself.
campus journal