Graffiti

Read: Luke 12:13-21

One's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. —Luke 12:15

Pastor and evangelist E. V. Hill went home to be with his Lord and Savior on February 25, 2003. He was much sought after as a conference speaker, and few have gained the attention and respect of people from all levels of society as he did.

Many years ago, Pastor Hill was invited to speak in a suburban church of a large southern city in the United States. In the introduction to his message, Pastor Hill commented on the difference between the affluent suburb and the poor urban area where he ministered. "I know what's missing," he said. "You folks don't have any graffiti anywhere. I'd like to volunteer to provide some for you. I'll get a bucket of paint and walk through your neighborhood, writing this one word on your million-dollar homes and expensive European cars: temporary. That's it—temporary. None of it will last."

We enjoy and take care of what we have, and that's as it should be. But Jesus said we shouldn't be possessed by our possessions, for they won't last into eternity (Luke 12:15-21). A house is just a box in which to stay warm and dry; a car is a way to get us from one place to another. Since we can't take them with us when we die, we're far better off to view them as E. V. Hill did—temporary. —Dave Egner

The riches of this world are vain,
They vanish in a day;
But sweet the treasures of God's love—
They never pass away. —Bosch

The real measure of our wealth is what will be ours in eternity.

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