$238 million.  That is the price that was recently paid for a four-story condo on Central Park South in New York City.  That makes it the most expensive home in the history of the United States.  The unit contains 24,000 square feet and comprises the 50th to the 53rd floors in a building dubbed as “the billionaires’ bunker.”  The “bunker” features private dining rooms, a sports club, juice bar, library, and a basketball court.

The buyer, Ken Griffin, has been called a “globe-trotting house collector.”  He also owns a $58.75 million condo in Chicago; a $60 million penthouse in Miami; $250 million worth of land to build a Palm Beach compound, and a $122 million London mansion. *

One wonders in which luxurious accommodation he will spend most of his time.

The Bible teaches that one day each of these mansions and condos – all of the earth and the works therein – will be burned up (2 Peter 3:10). All the things of this earth will “go up in smoke.”  This truth indicates that those who have invested only in things of this world are poor investors.

But the Christian has a “mansion” awaiting in heaven.

Jesus offered comfort to His troubled disciples reminding them of their eternal home: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions [literally, “abiding places, rooms”]; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-3).

Our sin puts us on the path to eternal destruction (Matthew 7:13-14), but the Savior wants to take us to live in an eternal home (1 Peter 1:3-4).  The Apostle Peter encouraged some suffering saints with these words: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4).

The beauty of this heavenly home is beyond our comprehension (see Revelation 21; cf. 1 Corinthians 2:9).  The real beauty of the Christian’s eternal home is who will share it with him: the heavenly Father; our Redeemer, Jesus Christ; and the redeemed of all the ages.  Heaven will also be wonderful because of what will not be there: "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

This eternal, heavenly home was “purchased” at a great price: the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son.  Jesus died on the cross for our sins so that we can have an eternal home in heaven with Him.  This home can be ours if we will accept it on His terms.

God will save and give life in an eternal, heavenly home to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse and prepare for a heavenly home those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Our homes on earth, no matter how much we’ve paid for them, can be special places.  But there’s no place like the home that God wants to give YOU in heaven.  Won’t YOU accept His offer through your trusting obedience?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from “Most expensive home in US – dubbed ‘billionaires’ bunker’ – purchased for $238 million” by Jennifer Gould Keil of the New York Post as it appeared on www.foxnews.com.  January 24, 2019.

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

Archived issues of Living Water can be viewed and accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org