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King Tut’s tomb was discovered in excellent condition in 1922. The Egyptian pharaoh died young in the 1300s BC. His people “equipped” him for the afterlife by burying him with food, clothing, furniture, weapons, gold, and even a chariot.
Believers and unbelievers alike scoff and reply, “You can’t take it with you.” The unbeliever then concludes: “Let’s eat, drink, and be merry. Let’s enjoy our worldly goods to the full now.” We believers have the privilege of eating and drinking and enjoying the good of our labor, because it is the gift of God (see Eccl. 5:18–20). Yet there is a great difference in the joy of these two groups. The unbelievers’ joy is only short-term because they face a frightening future. But believers are able to enjoy the food and drink we have worked for because our eternal destiny is secure. We have short- and long-term joy and peace.
Let’s take a closer look at that joy and ask ourselves some questions. First, have we made our calling and election sure? Are our lives firmly grounded on the Rock, Jesus Christ? Do we show the fruit of the Spirit? If so, we may enjoy this serious and abiding joy.
Next, have we brought the gospel to our children? Have they repented of their sins and trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit? Are their lives directed to loving and honoring God and loving their neighbor? If so, then together we may drink in the deep joy of hope for time and for eternity. We can say with John, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 4, KJV).
But there’s more. For those of us who have been blessed to have children, our sons and daughters are our most valuable treasures. They are worth far more than money, our home, or any of our other possessions. If we are all believers, then we will spend eternity together, singing praises to the Lamb of God around the throne. So we can take our greatest treasures to heaven with us.
If God has entrusted us with children, then we are tasked with one duty: to honor God in our family. Everything we do in life—work, eat, sleep, worship, relax—must be directed to glorifying God. We’re not able to save ourselves or our children. But God delights in saving sinners. He has established His covenant with us, not to automatically confer salvation on our children but to include them in the circle of blessing so that they hear the preaching of the gospel. We also weave the gospel into our everyday living, through family worship, and through our love. Are we living laser-focused on this goal that we may see our children converted to Christ?
Living for food, drink, and earthly gain is empty. King Tut’s treasures went no farther than the inside of his pyramid. But our treasures, our children, can travel to heaven with us. Let’s pray that we don’t miss one of the greatest blessings ever.