“All this I must leave behind!” - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2023

When one becomes rich, when the glory of his house is increased; ... when he dies he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him.
Psalm 49:16.17.

“All this I must leave behind!”
Jules Mazarin (1602-1661), the French cardinal and diplomat, was the minister ruling over France for a long period. He built up an enormous fortune through his income from numerous offices. In Paris he had his own palace built to accommodate his extensive library and many valuable paintings.

Shortly before Mazarin’s death the Count of Brienne witnessed how he once again had dragged himself into his art gallery. Again and again he murmured to himself: “All this I must leave behind!” He was already very weak and had to pause after every step. Again he said, “That, too! What an effort it was to procure it! How ever can I leave it behind without regret! Where I am going I shall see it no more!”

Whether it is wealth, respect or power – everything pertinent to this earth must one day be left behind. That is why Jesus Christ exhorted us so urgently: “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, ... for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

The decisive question is: what does our heart cling to? What has been the fulfilment of my life and what is its goal? Is my heart attached to Christ, who sacrificed His life for me? Only then is He my “treasure” together with all that belongs to Him. This treasure is eternally secure in heaven.

Today’s reading: Genesis 27:1-29 · Psalms 12:1-8