What Really Lasts

“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:20-21 NKJV

Over the weekend, my husband and I enjoyed touring a beautiful historic home in Greeneville, Tennessee—the Dickson-Williams Mansion, built in the early 1800s. Our docent guide was the great-great-grandson of the original owner/builder, and another gentleman on our tour was descended from the craftsman who created many of the furnishings!

The antebellum museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the lifestyle of a prominent family who hosted the likes of President Andrew Jackson, President James K. Polk, and Henry Clay in the hometown of President Andrew Johnson.

*The exquisite Dickson-Williams house…and its delightful birdhouse in front!*

The mansion’s high-ceilinged space incorporates an elegant spiral staircase, corner cabinets, square pianos, “tester” beds topped with canopies, formal dining china, and other amenities of prestige in the early days of Tennessee settlements. When the home was restored, many descendants donated their cherished heirlooms to return the residence to its original grandeur.

The family keepsakes spoke stories of wartime and peace, of children born and raised, of politics and entertainment. All are now preserved in the home’s time-capsule environment for future visitors to view. I’m so glad to see this care for historic artifacts…in a place that’s perfect for keeping such treasures.*

I was especially intrigued by this tiny, handmade folding chair for children, made with a piece of carpeting from the White House and brought to the home during President Andrew Johnson’s presidency.

As I ended the tour, I thought of our own antiques. My husband and I have had fun finding nifty things from the past, and we desire to preserve items that have been significant in our family. But I’ve also learned to simply enjoy our keepsakes for what they are and yet hold them loosely.

When Jesus spoke to the crowds around Him during His “Sermon on the Mount,” He made a special point to talk about possessions and our accumulation of them.

First, He warned His listeners that everything on earth is going to deteriorate—either by destruction, erosion, neglect, theft, or rot. Nothing will last, especially money, and there will come a time when the entire planet will be destroyed. It means we shouldn’t make idols of our material goods or make wealth our primary goal in life.

Our work and earthly accomplishments are similarly fleeting. King Solomon assessed his own accomplishments and correctly declared that all his rewards were “vanity,” vanishing with the wind (see Ecclesiastes 2:11).

*A much-younger me when the Angel Food ice cream carton still stood proudly beside the Memphis highway*

As a writer, I’m painfully aware that the millions of words I gathered in my writing career are mostly lost and gone. One long-lasting example from my advertising years was a tall, steel sign in the shape of a round ice cream carton. It stood for about four decades just off I-40 in Memphis, promoting Angel Food Ice Cream (no longer made), and I had written the paragraph on the side of the carton. Now, its image is gone and replaced by another brand.

Jesus, however, recommended pursuing a different legacy, involving things that can be boxed up and preserved for us in heaven. These are the indestructible deeds we do for Jesus—our sacrifices for Him, our prayers, our evangelism, our kindnesses to others. We can’t take a single coin with us when we join Him (I don’t think our heavenly robes will have pockets) but we can use what we have here and now for His glory, to support His church, care for others, and tell the world about Him.

Finally, Jesus explained that where our treasure resides, our hearts will wholeheartedly follow, in love. When we strive to love Jesus and His people, He will lead our souls to His dwelling place in heaven. There, on the streets of gold, we’ll understand what true treasure is—living forever in His presence. There is nothing more valuable, nothing we should desire more. All my worldly stuff just fades away in comparison.

Friend, where do you find the treasures of your heart? Look for them in the hands of Christ. He is the ultimate Treasure Keeper for you and me.

Lord God, King of Heaven and Keeper of my heart, how I worship and praise You for Your gift of love to me. Thank You for offering me the greatest treasure of all time—allowing me to enter Your gates of heaven and live with You for eternity through Your death on the cross. Help me to fix my eyes on You, and help me to let go of my grip on material things. Grant me faith and perseverance to bless You and others with my earthly strivings. In Your name, Amen.

Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her blogs are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom.

© Copyright 2026 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #Jesus #treasure #heaven #possessions #mansion #artifacts #restoration #heirlooms #keepsakes

*To learn more about this historic home, go to https://www.dicksonwilliamsmansion.org.