The story behind the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany teaches an important truth. This beautiful fortress, the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, was built by King Ludwig II in the 1800s. It took 14 carpenters a total of 4 years to do the wood work in one room alone, the king’s bedroom! After 16 and a half years of construction, the King moved in with only a third of the rooms completed. He lived in his castle less than 6 months before his death. The castle project, which nearly bankrupted the country, was abandoned immediately.

We can spend our entire lives gathering earthly treasures and building monuments but as with King Ludwig II, these rewards will only be “enjoyed” for a moment. God teaches us to put our time and energy into those things that matter most– obeying God, nurturing our families, and loving and serving those along our daily path. These are the things that will lead to heavenly rewards that will last throughout the eternities.