In a recent “Family Circus” cartoon, Bil Keane draws a scene at the beach. Little Jeffy has obviously spent considerable time building a sand castle. However, the tide is relentlessly pushing its way in, threatening to destroy all of Jeffy’s work. Jeffy is sprawled out on the sand in a futile attempt to protect his little kingdom from the waves, shouting at the sea, “NO! NO!”

Sadly, this is a picture of many people at the end of their lives. Death inevitably comes knocking at the door, and they desperately try to protect all that they have accumulated. They can’t believe that what they built will not last forever.

Jesus says that the work of anyone who builds on the foundation of his teaching will endure, but anything that is built elsewhere will not stand the test of time (Matt.7:24-27).

You aren’t building castles in the sand, are you?