You may never have heard of archeologist Howard Carter. However, you are likely familiar with his most famous discovery: King Tut’s tomb. The burial site of this Egyptian Pharaoh had over five thousand items, including royal garments, a shield, gold sandals, and the familiar gold mask. The total treasure is estimated to be worth $26 million today, with the coffin alone worth $1.7 million. Why would the Egyptians place all this wealth in a tomb? Simple, they thought ol’ Tut could take it with him in the afterlife.

When it comes to burial practices, we have gotten more sophisticated. We know you won’t see a U-Haul following a hearse. But our day-to-day life, with the ease of consumption and consumerism, can betray our knowledge that we can’t take our earthly treasures with us. Solomon is not surprised.

There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind? (Ecclesiastes 5:13–16)

In his book Money, Possessions, and Eternity, Randy Alcorn makes a similar observation. “Either it leaves us while we live, or we leave it when we die.” This is certainly depressing if we look to money and possessions for ultimate purpose. Thankfully, Jesus gives us a better investment strategy.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19–20)

Alcorn summarizes these verses by saying, “You can’t take it with you, but you can send it on ahead.” Pause for a moment to consider this great promise of Jesus. You don’t need to know the details concerning these treasures in heaven to conclude they will be better than anything we can accumulate here. 

How are you using the gifts God has given you to impact his Kingdom? Are you generous with your time and money? Invest in eternity, you will have more treasure awaiting you than what King Tut left behind.

By Philip Jones

Philip and his wife Stacy have been attending Immanuel since 2015. They are blessed to be raising four kids. His passion in ministry is to help others follow Jesus through teaching, preaching, and personal discipleship.