A Living Or A Life?

Have we ever seen someone whose life focus seemed to be that of working to eat so they could work so they could eat so they could work? Perhaps it is the picture of one who is alive, but in a sense not really living. It is true one needs to eat in order to have the nourishment and energy to work and work is necessary to provide a living in order to buy the food the body needs. However, with life merely boiled down to such a focus, where is the sense of PURPOSE? What is it they are LIVING FOR?

It has been stated, "Life is tragic for the person who has plenty to live on and nothing to live for." [Robert Fisk] Does that remind us of the rich fool who needed to build bigger barns to horde away his crops? ( Luke 12:16-20) Yes he had "ample goods laid up for many years" ( Luke 12:19 ESV) and therefore plenty to live on, but what did he have to LIVE FOR? When his life was required of him ( Luke 12:20), what good was all of that for him then?

Jesus warned. . .
"(21) So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and IS NOT RICH TOWARD GOD." ( Luke 12:21 ESV)

How many are so focused on the here-and-now they have given little or no thought to the future. Yes, we are to live with purpose now (God's purposes), but with the acknowledgment there is something grander beyond this realm we are to be LIVING FOR? How many have spent so much time making a living they have no life? How do your goals for life relate to such? Planning your education and career options, are you leaving room for how GOD'S PURPOSES can be fulfilled and lives can be impacted (family, co-workers, neighbors, etc.) with a view toward an eternity to LIVE FOR? We all ought to plan and live in a manner others can see we have a view on more than just the things in this realm.

Jesus urged. . .
"(19) Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, (20) but LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES IN HEAVEN, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (21) For WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO." ( Matthew 6:19-21 ESV)

Having plenty to live on is not a sin. However putting our trust there and leaving GOD'S PURPOSES out of the picture is where the trouble rests. Paul urged Timothy to exhort the wealthy to be "rich in good works" ( 1 Timothy 6:18) so as to store up what would provide a good foundation for the future. In this way they would be able to "take hold of that which is TRULY LIFE." ( 1 Timothy 6:19 ESV)

The manner in which we invest our life now can be of eternal consequence. Yes, how tragic to come to this life's end realizing we had plenty to live on, but nothing to LIVE FOR! May we glorify God with the life He has given as we serve HIS PURPOSES, laying up a good foundation for the eternal life to come!

Have a great day LIVING THE ABUNDANT LIFE IN CHRIST!
Carl

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