1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
About a week ago, archaeologists uncovered the tomb of an Egyptian pharaoh in Luxor, which is situated on the ancient city of Thebes. This marked the first discovery of its kind in the area since the excavation of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.
When you think of Egypt, the pyramids are likely the first image that comes to mind. Similarly, when I think of the pyramids, they remind me of a valuable life lesson I’d like to share.
Some folks, especially those into New Age teaching, think these pyramids are full of spiritual mysteries. Some say aliens built them; others suggest they’re packed with cosmic energy. But at the end of the day, these giant structures are just fancy graves, gigantic tombstones for the dead with all their earthly treasures that didn’t go with them in the afterlife.
The pyramids illustrate a vital lesson: pursuits of self-glorification lead to nothing but waste, destruction, futility, and death. No matter how grand or elaborate our earthly achievements might be, without focusing on the Kingdom, they are merely monuments to our egos, lifeless and hollow—just like the pyramids.
However, by putting our egos and worldly pursuits to rest and turning our focus to the Kingdom—and the everlasting life that awaits us—we avoid boasting of our earthly treasures and concentrate instead on His work, leading us to an eternal reward.
So, let’s continue to invest wisely in those things that endure forever. This world will soon pass away, and only things set up to build His eternal Kingdom will remain. So, let’s focus on the investments that never fail with the time left to invest!
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy Devotions. This devotional was originally published on Worthy Devotions and was reproduced with permission.
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This parable in Matthew 25 is a warning to the entire body — be ready with your oil! Each of these virgins was anticipating the Lord’s return; none were atheists, or non-believers. They were all virgins who claimed to be awaiting the Bridegroom’s arrival. But notice carefully that only half of them were truly ready.
In the year 1920, young Oswald Smith stood before the examining board for the selection of missionaries. He had wanted to be a missionary for as long as he could remember, and for all that time had been crying out to God that He might open a door for him to do so. Finally, his time had come. There he stood awaiting his destiny. His long-awaited was about to come…”No.”
When God called Gideon to lead Israel against their enemies, He wanted to show that a small army empowered by God was more effective than the largest armies. But notice how they fought – without weapons that an army would normally use. They fought with shofars and lamps! They fought with weapons that the world would consider ineffective, yet triumphed mightily over their enemies. They shouted as loud as they could, sounded the shofar, and broke the vessels that held the fire so that their lamps burst through with brightness.
Let me tell you a funny little story. An old mountaineer and his wife were sitting by the fireplace one evening, passing the time in silence. After a while, the wife broke the stillness and said, “Jed, I think it’s raining. Go outside and check, will ya?”
During his reign, King Frederick William III of Prussia found himself in a bind. Wars had been costly, and in trying to build the nation, he was seriously short of finances. After careful reflection, he decided to ask the women of Prussia if they would bring their jewelry of gold and silver to be melted down for their country. Each piece of jewelry he received, he would exchange for a decoration of bronze or iron as a symbol of his gratitude. These decorations would be inscribed, ‘I gave gold for iron, 18l3’.
In connection with the Hebrew Word “Amen”, meaning “faith”, “truth”, “belief”, and “trust”, consider this revealing passage in Isaiah which further amplifies the dimensions of the word in the most wonderful and comforting promise:
“He who blesses himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth [“Amen” in Hebrew]. …
After spending forty years in the wilderness, the children of Israel crossed into the Promised Land arriving to immediately face what seemed an impregnable fortress and an impossible task. Imagine receiving the instruction to march around the fortified city seven times, then finally be commanded to shout with all your might and sound shofars!