The utter folly of materialism hit home dramatically for me (jcd) during a trip to Britain years ago. As I toured the museums and historical buildings, I was struck by what I called “empty castles.” Standing there in the lonely fog were edifices constructed by proud men who thought they owned them. But where are those men today? All are gone; most are forgotten. The hollow castles they left behind stand as monuments to the vulnerability and impermanence of the men who built them.
I hope to leave more than empty castles behind when I die—something more meaningful than land, machines, stocks, or fame. I will consider my earthly existence to have been wasted unless my legacy is a loving family, a consistent investment in the lives of people, and an earnest attempt to have served the God who made me. Nothing else really matters.
Just between us…
- If we died tonight, would our obituaries describe empty pursuits or meaningful lives?
- How would the Lord judge our stewardship of money, time, and belongings?
- What has been our most foolish investment or expenditure in the past few years?
- Do we seek satisfaction in things or in the Lord? Is a change in order?
- How can we encourage each other to pursue what really matters?
From Night Light For Couples, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson - Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.