How many lives passed through this house?

Returning from a witnessing trip to Križevci on Tuesday, I had to stop and look at this old homestead in a village called Martijanec. It is impressive in size but very sad in appearance. Obviously abandoned for many years, it is in  complete disrepair. As I looked at it, I began to wonder how much laughter this house had seen, and how much sorrow. How many lives were touched by this place? How many grew up here and how many died?

It is not known when this home was built, but there is evidence that it existed in the 18th century.

Imagine all the wealth and all the fine things that accompanied life in this place. Then realize that it is all nothing but a forgotten ruin. How sad it is that some labor to be rich in this world and miss out on the eternal mansion in heaven that is available to all who will put their trust in Jesus for salvation. How very sad indeed.

Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

(Evanđelje po Mateju 6:19-21 Ne nakupljajte sebi blaga na zemlji, gdje ga moljac i hrđa kvare i gdje lopovi provaljuju i kradu; nego nakupljajte sebi blago na nebu, gdje ga moljac i hrđa ne kvare i gdje lopovi ne provaljuju niti kradu. Jer gdje vam je blago, ondje će vam i srce biti.)


Mark 10:24-27 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

(Evanđelje po Marku 1:24-27 A učenici su se zapanjili zbog njegovih riječi, ali im je Isus ponovo odgovorio i rekao: "Djeco, kako je teško onima koji se uzdaju u bogatstvo ući u kraljevstvo Božje! Lakše je devi proći kroz ušicu igle negoli bogatašu ući u kraljevstvo Božje." A oni su se neizmjerno zaprepastili govoreći među sobom: "Tko onda može biti spašen?" A Isus ih je pogledao i rekao: "Kod ljudi je to nemoguće, ali nije kod  Boga! Jer kod Boga je sve moguće!")