For a sizeable portion of our close walk with the Lord, the headwinds which come in our way often take the form of hyped-up criticism where our lifestyle is concerned. Our harshest critics are not from the unsaved but from people professing to be Christians. Chief amongst them would be those who subscribe to the non-biblical prosperity gospel. They visualize us as sanguine souls that miss out on the purported joys of worldly pursuits. While they seemingly celebrate their best years on planet Earth, these folks have only disdain for those who set their sights on a glorious eternity with the Lord. All that could wait when there is a lot going on in the material sense; this is the basis for their pejorative label – being of no earthly good!
These individuals would almost certainly make a mockery of Matthew 6:19-20. “Do not lay up yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in to steal; but lay up for yourself treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
While they mock and scoff, do these people take a good look at themselves? Does all that is in their portfolio of material wealth enable happiness, or is it the other way around?
“Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:11).
Can all the earthly accomplishments which garner plaudits from flesh and blood genuinely bring joy to the heart? It would be so, but for a fleeting moment. Take the case of sporting personalities; they have their prime moments, but the glitz and glamour fade as they grow old – a youthful poster person then gets all the media attention. The same principle applies to rock stars, silver screen icons, and politicians. Case studies in point: why did Robin Williams, Kate Spade, and Anthony Bourdain take their lives when everything appeared to be in their favor?
Money cannot resolve heartbreaks and heartaches that cross mankind. It does not provide any form of immunity against the curse of sin that is part and parcel of the fallen nature. At times, material possessions only aggravate situations, much like a medication with limited therapeutic benefit but an unwelcome wave of side effects!
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37).
There are those who claim that they have everything under wraps. Really? No one can give an accurate prediction relating to the timing of the last breath. But one thing is for sure. Once the soul departs the body, it is an irreversible thing. All the gobbledygook from the school of cryogenics cannot bring the soul back to the body. The soul will spend eternity in either of two places – an everlasting glory in heaven or perpetual condemnation in hell.
“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
It does not amount to rocket science when it comes to figuring out what the conclusion would be. The problem here is so much denial; the crucial matter for all concerned is being sidestepped. But at the end of the day, they that scoff and mock at the prudent believer have chosen to shoot themselves in both legs!
But for us who walk according to the Living Word, the plain but unshakable truth is comforting. “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
No questions asked; a life that is devoid of worldly distractions opens the door to the infinite grace, mercy, riches, and glory of the Heavenly Father. That the joy of the Lord is manifest in those who choose this path – being of heavenly value but not of worldly good!
The notion of earthly good is fast crumbling with bank failures, the onset of Central Bank Digital Currencies, and drastic moves by many nations to ditch the United States dollar’s reserve currency status. All these trends point to a global economic collapse that would greatly surpass the Great Depression. In the near future, digital money will become a tool of oppression that is in lockstep with the loss of freedom.
Those who focus on a glorious eternity with Christ need not fear or fret. They will not be dwelling on the earth when the unthinkable becomes an everyday reality. For they shall be with the Lord forever.
Blessings
Edwin
Contact me at edwinuk13@gmail.com