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The One Dies with the Most Toys Wins

Matthew 6:19-21 – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroys and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasure 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 also be.”

There is a popular bumper sticker that reads, “He who dies with the most toys wins.”  We have entered into the season that celebrates the birth of our Lord.  What do most children say when you ask them, “what do you want under the Christmas tree?”  They will almost always answer, “Toys.” 

Over the next couple of weeks parents will shop to find the special toy that was requested by their child.  They will look for a particular game or the most popular toys.  It is reported that toy sales in the United States generated over 18 billion dollars in 2014.

Toys are not just for children. Adults are much the same way. We value our toys.  Boys never outgrow their toys they just get more expensive.  The sad reality is that most people believe that it is the toys or material things we possess that bring us happiness.

Jesus said in Luke 12:15, “And He said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.’”  Our society measures success by the amount of material things we accumulate. 

Is it wrong to have nice material possessions?  No, but we must keep things in their proper place.  The Gospel of Matthew gives us the key to keeping our priorities in the right place.  “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

We must reexamine our priorities.  If God is truly first in our lives, then He will teach us how to prioritize our time and be successful in life.  The truth is that the one who dies with the most toys does not win.  Happiness is not found in our possessions. 


Matthew 16:26 reads, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” He who dies with Christ as Lord and Savior of their life “wins.”

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