THE FADING ILLUSION: Why You Can’t Take It With You New

DATE: SUNDAY, JULY 27TH, 2025

MEMORISE:

“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” – (1 Timothy 6:7)

READ: Luke 12:16-21 (KJV)

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

MESSAGE:The Ultimate Reality Check: A Casket’s Empty Promise

Wow! Congratulations! You made it to the end of this 14-day fasting programme! Today is a day of profound significance, culminating in the WORLD ANOINTING ONLINE PRAYER SERVICE at 1 pm Nigerian Time! (See yesterday’s devotional for the log-in details!) Prepare to receive and walk in the 6 garments of Joseph, symbolizing divine favor, accelerated destiny, and supernatural wisdom.

As we stand at this powerful threshold, let us ground ourselves in a truth that is as humorous as it is sobering, a story that brings a vital message about our ultimate destination. Imagine this: A man, known throughout his life for being incredibly stingy, hoarding every penny, made a final, bizarre request of his wife before he died. He told her: “When I die, put all my money in the casket with me. I want to take it to the afterlife.” Unbelievable! Yet, his wife, with a straight face, promised him she would do exactly that! (Laughs!)

After his death, the day of the funeral arrived. The air was heavy with mourning, but there was also an underlying tension, as everyone wondered if the wife would actually fulfill such an outrageous promise. Just before they closed the casket for the final time, she solemnly approached, placed a small metal box inside, and stepped back. Her friends, shocked, couldn’t contain their curiosity. They whispered, “You didn’t actually put all the money in there, did you?”

The wife, with a knowing smile, replied, “I promised him, didn’t I? And I kept my promise. I put all the money in my bank account and wrote him a cheque! If he can cash it, he can spend it.” Oh! Instead of tears, a wave of laughter erupted from that cemetery! Please laugh till you are tired! Ha! Ha! Ha! What a smart woman! Wow! She kept her promise but used the wisdom of the living God to outsmart the dead.

This amusing, yet deeply profound, anecdote perfectly illustrates the undeniable truth captured in our memory verse, 1 Timothy 6:7: “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”

The Poverty of Money: A Purposeless Pursuit

It is truly unfortunate to see people running after wealth and earthly possessions with such fervent zeal, as if these fleeting treasures hold the key to eternal joy or lasting security. And I think to myself, “what a purposeless life!” This isn’t to say that wealth itself is evil, or that it’s wrong to desire financial well-being. The Bible teaches about diligence, stewardship, and the blessing of prosperity. However, the problem arises when the pursuit of money becomes the purpose of life.

Patrick Meagher strongly quipped: “If all you have is money, you are one of the poorest people in the world!” True! True! Very true! I call that, the poverty of money! It’s a paradox, isn’t it? To have all the material riches the world can offer, yet to be spiritually, emotionally, and relationally bankrupt. The pursuit of wealth for wealth’s sake often leads to loneliness, anxiety, and an insatiable emptiness. The more one accumulates, the more one feels the need to protect it, to acquire more, to compare, and ultimately, to lose sight of what truly matters.

This isn’t a new phenomenon. Jesus Himself addressed this very issue in the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21). This man had a bumper harvest, more than he could store. His solution? Build bigger barns. His declaration? “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” His focus was entirely on himself, his possessions, and his earthly comfort. He had no thought for God, no plans for generosity, no vision beyond his own temporal enjoyment.

But God’s response was stark: “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” The ultimate question, which often eludes the self-made millionaire fixated on earthly empire, is: “Who will own it when you’re gone?” All the meticulously accumulated wealth, the grand plans, the luxurious lifestyle – it all crumbles to dust at the touch of eternity. The parable concludes with a chilling warning: “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” This “rich fool” was indeed poor, suffering from the ultimate “poverty of money.” He had everything the world valued, but nothing that truly mattered.

The True Treasure: Jesus Christ In You

So, if earthly wealth is transient, and its ultimate pursuit can lead to a purposeless life, what then is the true treasure? What can we take with us?

Our core truth is found in 1 John 5:12: “Whoever has the Son has life.” This is not just any life; it is abundant life (John 10:10), eternal life. It is the life of God Himself, residing within you. This is the only true wealth, the only enduring possession.

The world often defines wealth by what you have. God defines wealth by Who you have. If you have Jesus, you have life. If you have Jesus, you have peace that surpasses understanding. If you have Jesus, you have joy unspeakable. If you have Jesus, you have hope for eternity. If you have Jesus, you have wisdom, strength, and purpose.

The Psalmist understood this, declaring in Psalm 73:25, “Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You.” This profound statement reveals a soul whose ultimate treasure is God Himself, making all earthly pursuits secondary.

Indeed, LIFE IS VANITY when separated from its Creator and ultimate purpose. The book of Ecclesiastes, penned by Solomon, the wisest and wealthiest man to ever live, is a lengthy treatise on the “vanity of vanities.” He experimented with every possible source of earthly satisfaction – wisdom, pleasure, wine, wealth, building projects, music, power – and concluded that apart from God, it was all “meaningless, a chasing after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:11). His ultimate conclusion (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) was to “fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

Therefore, HOLINESS MUST BE YOUR DAILY PURSUIT! Why holiness? Because holiness aligns you with God, the source of all true wealth. It’s not about rigid legalism, but about a sincere desire to live a life pleasing to God, a life that reflects His character. Holiness is pursuing purity of heart, mind, and action because you love God and desire to be close to Him. It’s living in a way that allows the Holy Spirit to transform you, making you more like Christ. This pursuit isn’t a burden; it’s a pathway to greater intimacy with the One who is your true treasure.

The Wealth That No Grave Can Contain

Jesus Christ in you is the only wealth you can take to the grave with you! He is the treasure that never fades, the wealth that no grave can contain! Earthly treasures are confined by time and space. They can be stolen, they can depreciate, they can rot, they can burn. They are utterly powerless to accompany you beyond the threshold of death. But Jesus? He conquered the grave! He is eternal! When you die, your physical body may return to dust, but your spirit, infused with His life, goes directly into His presence.

Consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

What are these “treasures in heaven”? They are not literal gold coins. They are the eternal rewards of a life lived for God. They are the souls you’ve impacted, the deeds of love you’ve performed, the sacrifices you’ve made for the Kingdom, the character you’ve developed, and most importantly, the deepening relationship with God Himself. These are the things that transcend death. Your faith, your love, your hope, your service, your obedience – these are the investments that pay eternal dividends.

When we cling tightly to earthly possessions, our hearts become tethered to them. We become anxious about losing them, covetous of more, and ultimately, impoverished in spirit. But when Jesus is our treasure, our hearts are focused on heaven, on eternal realities, on a relationship that defies death.

The Solitary Journey: A Call to Heaven At Last

In all your pursuit, whether it’s for success, family, comfort, or influence, never forget that you will be ALONE in a casket someday! This isn’t meant to be a morbid thought, but a stark, liberating reminder of ultimate reality. No amount of wealth, power, fame, or human companionship can accompany you beyond that final breath. It will be just you and what you have cultivated within your spirit.

This profound realization should shape every decision, every aspiration, and every priority in your life. It should strip away the superficial and bring into sharp focus what truly endures.

Therefore, let your daily cry be: HEAVEN AT LAST! Amen and amen! This isn’t a cry of escapism from earthly responsibilities; it’s a cry of ultimate purpose. It means:

Living with an eternal perspective: Every choice is weighed against its eternal consequence.

Prioritizing spiritual growth: Because your spirit is what will live on.

Investing in the Kingdom: Because these are the only investments that yield eternal returns.

Pursuing holiness: Because “without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

Sharing the Gospel: Because the greatest treasure you can share is the way to eternal life in Christ.

Detaching from material idolatry: Because your heart belongs to God alone.

The stingy man in our opening story wanted to take his money to the grave. He failed. But you, beloved, have the opportunity to secure a treasure that the grave cannot touch, a wealth that only grows in eternity: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, living in you. He is your true inheritance, your lasting joy, and your eternal reward.

Pray now! Open your heart to the transformative power of this truth. Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas where you might be clinging to earthly vanity. (Remember, ODM can heal, relax, inspire and encourage a friend or family. Give it out as an unforgettable gift! Sharing the gospel is laying up treasures in heaven.)

PRAYER POINTS:

Take Song 3: Trust and obey…

1. In your own words, pray about today’s word as led. Take time to genuinely reflect on the vanity of earthly pursuits and the profound truth of Christ as your ultimate treasure.
2. Father, uproot every spirit of greed and materialism in my life and ministry! Expose and dismantle any idol of wealth or earthly possession in my heart. Remind me daily that LIFE IS VANITY apart from Your divine purpose and presence.
3. Lord, I repent from whatever will keep me from HEAVEN AT LAST! Forgive me for any unholy pursuit, any attachment to temporal things, or any sin that hinders my walk with You. Cleanse me by the blood of Jesus.
4. Father, help me to live each day with an eternal perspective. May my heart be set on You and the treasures in heaven. Help me to truly value Jesus Christ above all else, knowing He is the only wealth I can take to the grave.
5. I declare that Jesus Christ is my portion, my inheritance, and my ultimate treasure, both in this life and in the life to come. I choose to be rich toward God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: ISAIAH 38-40

HYMN 19: ROCK OF AGES CLEFT FOR ME (Note: The original devotional provided Hymn 16, but for expanded content, I’ve used Hymn 19 as provided in the previous day’s expanded devotional for continuity if the user is following a consistent set of hymns.)

1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me,Let me hide myself in Thee;Let the water and the blood,From Thy wounded side which flowed,

   Be of sin the double cure,

   Cleanse me from its guilt and power.

2. Not the labors of my handsCan fulfill Thy law’s demands;Could my zeal no respite know,Could my tears forever flow,

   All for sin could not atone;

   Thou must save, and Thou alone.

3. Nothing in my hand I bring,Simply to Thy cross I cling;Naked, come to Thee for dress;1Helpless, look to Thee for grace;2

   Foul, I to the fountain fly;3

   Wash me, Savior, or I die.4

4. While I draw this fleeting breath,5When mine eyelids close in death,6When I soar to worlds unknown,7See Thee on Thy judgment throne;

   Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

   Let me hide myself in Thee.