This isn’t a homeschooling post, but I need to let you know that one of my favorite things about homeschooling is that I’m learning just as much as my kids are.
If not more.
About ancient history.
And the field markings of birds.
And a simple way to determine whether a number is divisible by 9.
And not to mention priorities…and perseverance…and grace.
Lots of grace.
Can I tell you a story?
Once upon a time, about five thousand years ago, a pharaoh named Cheops (KEY’-ops) decided his burial place was super-important. So important that he designed this spectacular tomb himself.
So important that he had thousands of people get to work on building it.
So important that he had them work on it for twenty years.
So important that each block in the pyramid weighed three tons. Yes, each block. And more than two million blocks were used altogether.
So important that for many years this pyramid we now call the Great Pyramid of Giza was the tallest building in the world.
Why was his grave so important?
It was thought that being buried with one’s valuables was important for success in the afterlife. So mummified pharaohs were entombed with their gold, jewels, furniture, and even games.
With all these riches being buried with mummies, you can imagine why grave robbing became common. And so Cheops designed his pyramid specifically to protect his mummified remains and treasures from thieves.
An interesting history lesson, isn’t it? Throw in some details on embalming and the building of the Sphinx, and even my sometimes-antsy seven-year-old boy was enthralled.
But guess what?
Something even better than history happened around our kitchen table this morning.
We discovered an important object lesson illustrating one of Jesus’ key teachings. Perhaps you’ll recognize it:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)
It saddens me to think about where Cheops is spending eternity.
And almost as much, it saddens me to consider how many hours of his life were intently devoted to something that turned out to be completely worthless.
Because despite his focused efforts, grave robbers stole Cheops’ mummy and his treasures after all.
The sobering thing is, I have no doubt Cheops thought his labors were worthwhile; why else would he devote countless hours designing and supervising this massive project, investing who knows how much money into the effort?
But this pharaoh couldn’t have been more wrong. His best efforts…most focused attention…most valuable investments…
profited him absolutely nothing.
How can we be sure we’re engaged in labor that is fruitful? That we’re not spending our days and our years and our dollars and our energy in vain?
It’s actually pretty simple.
We look to God’s Word for what’s important to Him…
and then we get on board with Him there.
I’m glad God’s Word has something to say about this.
For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)
The souls of people are important to God. Time invested in people is never wasted.
I am the LORD; that is My name. My glory I give to no other. (Isaiah 42:8)
God’s glory is important to Him. Time invested in getting to know Him so we can make much of Him is never wasted.
Thinking about Cheops makes me reevaluate what really matters.
And it causes me to suspect that an awful lot of what I pursue is no more profitable to me than Cheops’ treasures.
