“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverence the race marked out for us.“– Hebrews
“…I have lost all things, I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ…”
So many things that once seemed valuable are later found to be worthless – things that we struggled and saved for are one day thrown away as rubbish.
True wealth, says Jesus, is not material things, but the riches of a good character.
They are not in a safe or a bank, but stored with God, where they will never tarnish, never devalue, never be thrown away.
Helpful Bible references to consider
- Life is precious – time is short.
(Read: Is.40:6-8; James 1:10-11) - We need to define what in our life is worthwhile and what is worthless, which goals are worth pursuing and which are not, otherwise our time and efforts will be wasted.
(Read: Prov.23:4-5; Eccles.2:10-11; 1 Tim.6:6-10) - Material things are a gift from God. They are only of real value when dedicated to God’s service.
(Read: Job 1:20-21; Deut.8:17-18; Acts 14:17; 4:34-35) - We cannot pursue material gain and the service of God – the two goals are incompatible.
(Read: Matt.6:24) - Wealth is more likely to be a distraction and impediment to our spiritual life than a help. We need to clear our lives of unnecessary distractions in order to truly serve God.
(Read: Matt.19:24; Luke 12:16-21; Prov.30:7-9; Matt.18:8-9; Heb.12:1) - A life that is entirely focussed on material things brings no real happiness, satisfaction or security.
(Read: Eccles.5:10-17)