I recently took my wife to what is known as “The Biltmore house” in Asheville North Carolina. During the Christmas season the 250 room house is decorated similar to how it would have been decorated back when the Vanderbilts lived there.

It was built in 1895 for about $1.5 million and was surrounded by 125,000 acres of property. It was built by a famous architect and had every luxury known at that time including a bowling alley and indoor swimming pool.

The thing that intrigued me the most was Mr. Vanderbilt had an early exit from this life.

I had imagined he lived a long life enjoying all he had created but the truth is he died at 51 from complications from what should have been a common surgery.

When I heard this story, my mind went to a scripture found in Matthew 16:26 where it says, “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?”

Whether or not George Vanderbilt was a Christian is not my point here.

The truth is there are many who try to gain everything the world offers hoping it will bring fulfillment, but at the same time neglecting the only thing that will bring true fulfillment, which is trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

If one has a life goal of getting all they can out of this world for themselves, then all they will receive is temporary pleasure but will end up in eternity falling under the judgement of God.

But if a person lives a life serving Jesus and their fellow mankind then the result is eternal life.