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Facing our Worldliness

How would you use “You can't take it with you” effectively in context?

You can use "You can't take it with you" to remind yourself or others about the importance of prioritizing experiences and relationships over material possessions. For example, if a friend is constantly working and neglecting their personal life, you might say, 'Remember, you can't take it with you. Take some time off and enjoy life.'

Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, but this saying reminds us that every moment should be cherished and made the most of.  Many people forget what is important in life and strive only for higher positions and more power over their lives.

Scientists at the University of California at Berkeley analyzed a person's rank in society (measured by wealth, occupational prestige and education) and found that those who were richer were more likely to cheat, lie and break the law than those who were poorer.  They found that it is much more prevalent for people in the higher ranks of society to see greed and self-interest … as  good pursuits,’ said Paul Piff, lead author of the study and a doctoral candidate at Berkeley.

We know that money creates more of a self-focus, which may account for larger feelings of entitlement.   Greed. Self-interest. Entitlement. Modern statistics bear out the words of Christ, “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24). 

Therefore, accepting the things we cannot control is a crucial step to understanding our mortality. We must come to terms with the fact that everything in life has an expiration date – whether it be physical objects, relationships, or even ourselves. Death is a part of life and strive to make the most of our limited time here on earth.

Though life is short, it should be viewed as precious and worthy of celebration. We should strive to live each day as if it were our last, making sure to appreciate the beauty of life’s fleeting moments. The temporal nature of life can also bring us closer together, by reminding us how fragile and connected we all are. It is important to cherish those around you while you still have them in your life and express your gratitude for their presence.

So,  live intentionally!  Leave behind something meaningful that will continue to impact others long after we are gone. This could be anything from creating something physical such as art or writing a book; or even simply sharing your experiences with others so they may learn from them too- anything that will have a lasting impact on people’s souls and hearts long after our physical forms have left this earth.

Helen Keller, an American author, disability rights advocate, political activist and lecturer, once said, “For three things I thank God every day of my life:  thanks that he has vouchsafed me knowledge of his works; deep thanks that he has set in my darkness the lamp of faith; deep, deepest thanks that I have another life to look forward to—a life joyous with light and flowers and heavenly song.”

You don't have to be blind or deaf to be grateful to have another life to look forward to. All you have to be is grieved over your own sin, or the sinful ways of this world, to long for a better place. This is something for which we should all yearn. 

AMEN