My favorite town in my home state of New Jersey is down the shore at Ocean City!  Since 1959, I’ve vacationed there always with great anticipation before going and with deep regret when heading over the bridge, away from Ocean City into Somers Point, heading home.  Lots of good Bible-believing churches, a dry town keeping the bar scene far away, but home values very pricey making most of us unable to buy one even if we wanted to.  Just glad to be able to rent a condo for a few weeks most years.

My wife and I have noticed that homes can be very expendable in this little barrier island town.  On a recent visit, a nice home across the street from where we rented, and another down the block were demolished, with debris carted away all in a matter of an eight hour shift.  Morning–nice home.  By dinner, a vacant lot ready for a new duplex.  Now the rental income can double with mega-property taxes flowing full-bore into the city coffers, making way for even more vacationers who are sardine-canned onto this tiny island for those ten busy summer weeks.  We always go off-season!  Much nicer.  Much!

Ocean City’s cute Victorian cottages are going, going… almost gone!  With no end in sight.  One day we were driving by a teardown in progress, and could see the demolished living room with a bookcase full of books still in place.  Not for long.  But no one had bothered to remove the books.  Give them to the local library or nursing home or the used bookstore or to anyone.  No thought.  Tear down.  Toss out.  Disposable society.

Do we have too much?  Riches receive our supreme devotion?  Idolatry of the almighty dollar?  Psalm 49–  ‘…those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches…'(v. 6).  And– ‘This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings(v. 13).   Read further–‘…for he will take nothing with him when he dies'(v. 17) and ‘…he will join the generation…who never see the light of life'(v.19).  Riches and things.  Could we be barking up the wrong tree?

If not riches, then what?  ‘But God will redeem my life from the grave; He will surely take me to Himself'(v.15).   Wealthy or poor,  our riches are to be in God’s love and forgiveness, His grace and mercy.  In Him alone.  Mansions… over the hilltop.  Not a tear-down among them!  The books will be opened.  Our dwelling place secure as only heaven can be!

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord, for making us heaven-bound through your Son Jesus.  In His name.  Amen.