You Can’t Take It With You

“‘But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.’” (Matthew 6:33-34 NKJV)

This particular counsel of Jesus flies in the face of many of our modern Western sensibilities, especially American thinking. The whole concept of pulling oneself up by his own bootstraps is not limited to the U.S. but became somewhat of a societal mantra, at least until more recent years. Planning ahead, looking for opportunities, saving for the future – all these are considered good ideas. Once again, the life contemplated by Jesus seems somewhat counterintuitive to this thinking.

In the less-often cited parallel passage, Luke reported that Jesus said it this way:

“‘And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

“‘Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’” (Luke 12:29-34 NKJV)

The sense of the eminent return of Jesus Christ motivated the early church, so much so that long-term estate planning was something uncommon. In Acts we are told:

“Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.” (Acts 2:44-45 NKJV; see also Acts 4:32-37)

What does that mean for us? Should we take a vow of poverty, simply living day-to-day, or is it okay to make a plan, work a plan and see the results of your plan? That’s not what Jesus was saying and not what the early church was doing. The key was, “Where you’re heart is, there will your treasure be.” There are those who are gifted to earn a lot of money who yet manage to keep their treasure in heaven. Their money does not own them but is a tool used for the glory of God.

Some translations render today’s verse as, “Take not thought for tomorrow,” which leads to a misconception of the message Jesus conveyed. Good stewardship demands that we plan; faith demands that in doing so, we not fret. Multiple times He told His disciples, “Have no fear.” Here he said, “Have no anxiety.” Worry is simply doubt and fear sown by the enemy of our souls. “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” (Matthew 6:27 NKJV) In the same way, you can’t take it with you, so why let worries about money rob your sleep?

Related Scriptures

“The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: ‘Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.’” (I Kings 3:10-14 NKJV)

“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” (I Timothy 4:8 NKJV)

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV)

“So Jesus answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.’” (Mark 10:29-31 NKJV)

“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

“And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” (Acts 4:32-37 NKJV)