No Deal!

It has been told that there is a certain tribe in Africa that elects a new king every seven years, at which time the old king is killed. For seven years this new king is provided the enjoyment of every luxury known to savage life. During these years his authority is absolute, even to the power of life and death. For seven years he rules, is honored and overindulged with possessions, but at the end he dies. Even though every member of the tribe knows this to be the long standing custom, there still never lacks an applicant for the position. For seven years of luxury and power some are willing to sacrifice the remainder of life's expectation.

There is another sense in which this is played out in life over and over again. How many are laying up all their treasure here, with no thought for the eternity that is next? How many are seeking a pampering, but making no preparation for the life to come? Paul warned of the coming time when people would be "LOVERS OF PLEASURE RATHER THAN LOVERS OF GOD" ( 2 Timothy 3:4), but in their choice they fail to acknowledge the greater loss. Though it may be a deal the devil is enticing many to make, it is one to which we should declare, "No Deal!"

Jesus asked. . .
"(36) For WHAT DOES IT PROFIT A MAN TO GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD AND FORFEIT HIS SOUL? (37) For what can a man give in return for his soul?" ( Mark 8:36-37 ESV)

Many are willing to be bankrupted through eternity for the chance to make their millions here. As you set your goals for life, be careful what you begin to think is the most significant. Making money is not wrong if it is gone about in an ethical manner, but we do need to guard against worldly wealth and pleasure capturing our attention. Life lived for that is only short lived compared to the eternity to come.

Paul urged. . .
"(17) As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to SET THEIR HOPES on the uncertainty of riches, but ON GOD, WHO RICHLY PROVIDES US WITH EVERYTHING TO ENJOY. (18) They are to do good, to BE RICH IN GOOD WORKS, to be generous and ready to share, (19) thus STORING UP TREASURE FOR THEMSELVES AS A GOOD FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE, so that they may TAKE HOLD OF THAT WHICH IS TRULY LIFE." ( 1 Timothy 6:17-19 ESV)

Though that exhortation was for the rich, whether we have much or just enough, we still need to keep it all in perspective in relation to the eternity to come. May we find the GREAT PLEASURE there is in LIVING FOR GOD and in SERVING OTHERS. This is the way of laying up great treasure for our eternal future.

Have a great day ENJOYING THE LIFE GOD HOLDS OUT TO US!
Carl

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