What are you Squirreling away?

Gathered ... Then Gone

As autumn leaves swirl to the ground, squirrels scurry around, gathering and carefully burying acorns and other nuts. It’s a busy time of year as they prepare their stockpiles of food for winter!

But despite their frantic preparation, much of their hard work is wasted. It’s estimated that up to a quarter of their hoarded food supply is either snatched away by other animals or simply forgotten.

Useless Treasure

Sometimes, we can be a lot like those busy squirrels. We hustle to gather what we need for today and try to set something aside for tomorrow. But while scrambling to keep up with bills and bank accounts, we can lose sight of what matters most.

The Bible tells the story of a rich farmer who gathered so many crops that he boastfully tore down his barns to build bigger ones. He thought he had secured a comfortable future, but God said he would die that very night (see Luke 12:16-21). Even though the farmer was rich with earthly treasures, he was unprepared for eternity.

Just as seasons change, life on earth does not last forever. One day, you too will leave behind everything you’ve accumulated on earth. But your soul will live on for eternity. Are you prepared for what comes after this life?

What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Mark 8:36

It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27

How to Secure Your Forever

You don’t have to hope that you’ll spend eternity in Heaven—you can know.

You see, God created a perfect world, but when humanity disobeyed God, sin entered the world and separated us from Him. The Bible says, “all have sinned” and that the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 3:23, 6:23). But there is good news!

God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take our sin upon Himself and to die in our place. He then rose from the grave and returned to Heaven. Now, He offers forgiveness of sin and eternal life to all who put their faith and trust in Him. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Are You Prepared for Eternity?

When you trust in Jesus Christ, you are given an abundance of blessings like love, joy and peace that can sustain you through every season. No matter what threats or insecurities you may face in this life, set your hope on the perfect, eternal life that is to come. “Do not worry about your life ... for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Matthew 6:25-32).

Are you anxiously squirreling away things that won’t last, or have you trusted in Jesus Christ for all your needs and for your eternal future? Through Him, you will have a peace and security that no one can take away, and a generous heart that shines His light and love into your world.

Store up “treasures in heaven … for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20-21).