Nothing But Guests
We don't have a permanent city here on earth, but we are looking for the city that we will have in the future. Hebrews 13:14
A writer of the late 18th and early 19th century whose works are mostly forgotten told a story of a knight who spared no expense or time to furnish a magnificent castle.
One day a pilgrim came to the castle gate and asked for a night's lodging there. The knight turned down his request with the words: "This castle is not a hotel!"
The pilgrim response was: "Permit me to ask you three questions, then I will go on my way." - "Go ahead!" answered the knight.
So the wanderer began: "Who live in this castle before you?" - "My father," replied the knight. - "And who live here before your father?" - "My grandfather." - "And who will dwell here after you?" - "My son, God willing," said the knight.
"Well," continued the pilgrim, "If each one lives in this castle for a period only, then makes way for another, are you anything but guests here? This castle is indeed a hotel. So do not go to too much trouble and expense making it luxurious; it will only house you for a while. Rather build yourself a permanent dwelling in heaven."
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and dust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Mathew 6:19-21).
Friends, how hard have you been laboring in this life as though you will remain here forever? In all you do, always remember that you are nothing but guests in this world."So then, be very careful how you live. Don't live like foolish people but like wise people." (Ephesians 5:15).
A writer of the late 18th and early 19th century whose works are mostly forgotten told a story of a knight who spared no expense or time to furnish a magnificent castle.
One day a pilgrim came to the castle gate and asked for a night's lodging there. The knight turned down his request with the words: "This castle is not a hotel!"
The pilgrim response was: "Permit me to ask you three questions, then I will go on my way." - "Go ahead!" answered the knight.
So the wanderer began: "Who live in this castle before you?" - "My father," replied the knight. - "And who live here before your father?" - "My grandfather." - "And who will dwell here after you?" - "My son, God willing," said the knight.
"Well," continued the pilgrim, "If each one lives in this castle for a period only, then makes way for another, are you anything but guests here? This castle is indeed a hotel. So do not go to too much trouble and expense making it luxurious; it will only house you for a while. Rather build yourself a permanent dwelling in heaven."
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and dust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Mathew 6:19-21).
Friends, how hard have you been laboring in this life as though you will remain here forever? In all you do, always remember that you are nothing but guests in this world."So then, be very careful how you live. Don't live like foolish people but like wise people." (Ephesians 5:15).