I’ve heard that you should hold on to earthly things loosely — with open hands. After all, nothing lasts on this side of eternity. Money, possessions, relationships, positions. All of it can vanish like the mist in the morning. As Job famously said, the Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

I do believe that whatever God takes away is almost always replaced with something better. Sometimes, it’s a gift from God’s hand. Sometimes, it’s God Himself and His comforting presence. Either way, nothing lost is ever wasted or in vain. In God’s economy, everything works toward an eternal purpose that is good and right.

Think of it this way. Everything in life is a gift. Some gifts are for a season. Some are for longer. The point is not to treasure and worship the gifts but the Giver of the gifts. He is worthy of worship when He gives the gift. He is worthy of worship when He withholds the gift. He is worthy of worship when He takes the gift away. He alone is our treasure above all treasures.