It is often said. “You can’t take anything with you”.

The book of Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon. In his life time he possessed everything known in his day. He had wealth beyond measure. Built many houses and things. Indulged himself in every possible indulgence. He diligently sought after something…anything truly new. For all his effort, he was unfulfilled. Unsatisfied in his inner man. He authored the book of Ecclesiastes to, among other things, spare us from the same vain path. There is nothing wrong with having things. But at what point are they worth pursuing at all cost, especially when once attained, they are added to the collection, and the mind moves on to the next desired thing. Vanity of vanities said Solomon, all is vanity. His logic is correct and inescapable. His conclusions based upon the fact that none of all his efforts and labor in this life will be transportable. You can’t take it with you.

Yet in another place, the book of proverbs, Solomon found things he said were beyond the price of silver, gold and rubies. He encouraged the reader to seek them with all of your seeking. Do these things in the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning and foundation of wisdom. It says naked we came into the world and naked we will leave it. Who said this? Job said this. Later the Lord would admonish Job and say, “Who is this who darkens council by words without understanding?. For it is true that nothing of the stuff of this age and world has any place outside of it, and so, can not “go with you”. But who and what you are inside, when you leave this place behind, is what “goes” with you. Wisdom. Knowledge. Understanding. Virtue…any good quality that can be named. These, if not mere ideas, but rather that which has become the substance of your being, will certainly go with you. They are eternal. They are God. And the price of them is beyond comprehension. Jesus did not say we must leave naked:

[Rev 3:17-18 KJV] 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.(Jesus said these things to a church.)

[Mat 16:25 KJV] 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

[Mar 8:35 KJV] 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

[Luk 9:24 KJV] 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

[Jhn 12:25 KJV] 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.