Most Precious Treasure

Last week my wife and daughter sang and played with the Jubalheirs down at FBC Kingsland. I had to work that day, was not able to go, and I felt bad not traveling to support them in their concert. When they got home late that night there were a dozen roses on the kitchen counter to greet them. I know they loved and appreciated the flowers, but I believe they would have preferred I drove down after work to show my love for them.

On his deathbed Alexander the Great summoned his generals and told them his three final wishes. 1) The best doctors should carry his coffin. 2) All his wealth: gold, precious stones, and money were to be scattered along the way to his burial. 3) His hands were to be left hanging outside his coffin for all to see.

Surprised by these unusual requests, one of his generals asked Alexander to explain. Here is what he said, “I want the best doctors to carry my coffin to demonstrate that in the face of death, even the best doctors have no power to heal. I want the road to be covered with my treasures so that everybody sees that the wealth acquired on earth, stays on earth. I want my hands to swing in the wind so that people understand that we come to this world empty-handed and we leave empty-handed after the most precious treasure of all is exhausted…time.”

Time is our most precious treasure because it is limited. We can produce more wealth, but we cannot produce more time. I could give that vase of flowers to Carole and Lydia, but I believe my presence, my time, at their concert would have meant more. When we give someone our time, we give a portion of our life that we never take back. That’s one reason why having fellowships together as a church body, as Sunday School classes, in any small group, is so important. Our time is our life. Think of how much time Jesus spent with his small group of followers. As we enter this holiday season, let’s remember the best present we can give our family and friends is our time. May we all have the wisdom to give it.

Your servant in Christ, Phillip