The other day I saw people wishing someone a happy birthday on Facebook. 

“Happy Birthday!”

“I hope today is amazing!”

“Let’s get together sometime soon!

“You deserve all the best!  Miss you!”

It was all incredibly sweet and totally normal except for one small problem: The person they were wishing happy birthday to was dead.

They’d died a few months earlier, but their Facebook page had not been taken down.  Somehow, between the hustle and bustle of life (especially life during a pandemic) and the mysterious algorithm that determines who and what we see on Facebook, these well-intended friends had missed the news of their friend’s passing.  Scrolling down through the well-wishes and happy birthday posts, I was struck by this thought: their FB page has outlived their actual life. 

Even though they had died, after their death, their social media account remained ‘active’.  Seeing this unfold on social media was a powerful reminder to me that even after our deaths, there are things that will outlive us. 

The words we speak over others will stick with people long after we’re gone.  (Matthew 12:36)

The love we shared or withheld will be remembered far beyond our deaths.  (Matthew 26:6-13)

Even the prayers we pray have the potential to long outlive us as well!  (John 17:20-23)

But in addition to these things, I couldn’t shake these words from James 5 which say, “Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire.  You have hoarded wealth in the last days.” ~ James 5:3 (NIV)

I know the imagery here isn’t the most pleasant, but don’t miss what scriptures are pointing out for us here.  As with our words, deeds, and prayers, the use or misuse of our wealth will outlive us.  James says that how we use our wealth will one day bear witness either for us or against us.  Hear me on this: when we die, we may not be able to take our stuff with us, but the testimony of how we used what we had will.

Contrary to our worldly views on wealth, the Bible describes wealth as a resource, not a reward.  It is a tool, not a treasure.  The God who blesses has blessed us to be a blessing (Genesis 12:2-3). 

In the same way our words and our prayers, deeds and our love will outlive us, so too will the testimony of how we used our wealth, power, and influence in this life.  No, we’re not saved by what we do – we’re saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8), but that does not mean God will not hold us accountable for what we did with what we He entrusted to us (see Matthew 25:14-30, James 5:1-6). 

Seeing those people lovingly, yet unknowingly, wish their deceased friend well, was a powerful reminder to me that what we do with what we have – be it our words, deeds, love, or wealth, matter more than any of us may realize.  So, let’s leverage what we have – our words, deeds, love, and wealth in such a way, so that even after we're gone, we leave people with memories of blessing that point them again and again to Jesus, the Source of all Blessing, for the glory of God and the sake of the world.