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Thoughts on Today’s Verse…
Jesus’ question is a piercing challenge for us to evaluate our goals and look at what we pursue. It reminds me of a picture I once had in my office of a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer with the caption, “Who says you can’t take it with you?” While it was humorous, the caption was also wrong: DEAD wrong. And that was the point of the picture! Jesus wants us to ask ourselves what we have really gained if we lose our souls in pursuing things we can’t take with us after we die. Is more stuff, fame, wealth, and power worth losing the only part of us that matters eternally? No, it is not!
My Prayer…
Loving Father, please help me focus on what is truly valuable and eternally enduring. Awaken my heart to use my blessings and influence to bring you glory and lead others closer to Jesus. I want to carry these things into the next life. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Bible References
25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
Luke 9:25
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?
Jesus is teaching His disciples that the goal for their lives should be to serve Him by spreading the gospel. He is warning them ahead of time that this will go against pretty much everything in this world. They will not be popular for their stand for Him and may even lose their lives for the sake of the cross of Christ (which most did). But then He goes on to explain in the rest of the chapter that it is worth all the persecution and hardship they will face because they will be in heaven when they die.
Even if a believer could gain all the world’s wealth in a lifetime, what good would it do him? He would have missed the opportunity of using his life for the glory of God and the salvation of the lost. Our lives are worth more than all the world has to offer. So, with that in mind, shall we use them for Christ or for ourselves? Clearly, we should use our lives for serving Christ.
Not all of us will be called to serve as missionaries abroad, but there is a great “mission field” in every believer’s life. We all interact daily with the unsaved, be it at work, school, or the marketplace. They need to hear about God’s love for them through Jesus just as much as those in foreign countries do. The point is that we take the time to show God’s love to them and talk with them about Him. Lord help us to not be so busy with gaining the things of this world, that we neglect to keep our priorities in check concerning what our focus in this life should be! It is the very same as Christ is explaining to His disciples some 2000 yrs ago, that of living a life that has Christ at the center. Obeying Him and His Word in all we say and do.
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – which is your spiritual worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Thank You Jesus for shedding your blood for the forgiveness of my sins, thank You for Your mercy and grace, and for the free gift of salvation that you offer to all who place their faith in You (Ephesians 2:8-9). I love You my Savior, and I give You all the praise, glory, and honor that You so richly deserve this day! Amen!