10/21/2020
How do we judge the success of our lives? If we are like the secular people who surround us then it would be by the money we have accumulated, the size of our homes, and perhaps the number of children we have, or the power we wield over those who we employee. Do we as Christians covet what those who live only in the world call wealth? Are we working long hours to live a few short years in luxury, only to lose it all in the moment of our death?
“And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.””
Luke 12:15 ESV
In a few short years we will be dust, our money will belong to others, our home will be in ruins, our children will be ungrateful, and future generations will remember only what we had left to them. As for those people who once waited on us, and we thought admired us? They will not remember us, and they too will be gone... just as gone as we are. But, if our success, our prize, and all of our treasure is spiritual and stored in heaven, then it will endure. So why should we covet what the wealthy have acquired on earth? In the end they will have left it all behind, and possibly found nothing waiting for them as they stand in God’s judgement.
““Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
Matthew 6:19-20 ESV
We place our greatest effort into those things we believe have the most value to us, and this speaks volumes about where our heart is, and of the depths of our faith as well. In judging the success of our lives we should disregard, or minimize, those earthly things we have accumulated, and fathom the depths of our faith... as Christians our success is not determined by the length of the debris field we leave behind when our life is being dismantled as it meets its end; no, it is judged by all the Christ-like mercy, hope, grace, and love, that we have left in the lives of the poor, the faithful, and the humble survivors.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:21 ESV
When Jesus was teaching this lesson He was speaking to more than a collection of followers, or those who’s soul He was trying to reach at that moment; He was speaking to the Priests and Pharisees in the temple, and to His coming Church as well. You see, somewhere in the early days of our faith, the Church, and believers who were focused completely on the gospel of Jesus Christ, came under spiritual attack, and its heart became a battlefield. The strength that had sustained them in the catacombs beneath Rome, and through great persecution, was being remolded by a desire for earthly wealth, political power, and the pomp and circumstance of man-made religious dogma. The Church of Jesus Christ had taken on the look and feel of the Roman and Greek temples... ornate, prominent, filled with silver, gold, fine linen, and men who sought power over people and kings. This was never what Jesus preached.
“for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.””
Romans 14:11 ESV
So, how do we judge the success of our lives, and where do we place our faith in the order of our most cherished pursuits? Today let’s contemplate our priorities, and rank them honestly. A good way to begin is by determining the hours each day that we spend on your daily pursuits such as things of faith, acts of mercy, our time on the job, our dedication to family, resting, hobbies, and any other activity that consumes our time. Then list them from greatest to least, and look at where in the list we find our faith. Does it surprise us, and do we need to reprioritize our lives?
If we are a church board, or pastor then let’s list the activities in our daily life as they relate to strictly adhering to delivering the gospel, living it, winning souls, and then the other things... like raising money, and business activities. Are we surprised by where the heart of our calling actually is, or where our church is really going? How does this compare to what we thought our mission actually was?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for opening our eyes to the reality of our spiritual lives, and for showing us the true nature of the success or failure we find there. Help us Lord as we direct our hearts appropriately, and serve you as we should. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves us mightily, and teaches us to place you above all else. Merciful are you in your patience, and tolerant are you as we readjust our lives to meet your expectations of us. Great are you who provides for us, and loving is your heart that leads us to help those who are lost, hungry, or otherwise in need. Your grace is our guide Lord as we go into the world about us, and do your will there. Open our hearts as yours is open, and forgive us time and time again as we stumble by holding back what you have placed in our hands and asked us to give... or do. Wash us clean in the blood of Jesus, and hold safe the treasures we build up in heaven through Him. Receive us Holy Father, and judge us successful in our pursuit of eternity with you. As for those things we might leave behind in the world, please keep your hand on their use... after all, they were always yours!
“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:9-11 ESV
Rich Forbes