Everything you can experience with your physical senses will someday pass away. Only things you cannot see are eternal. So what should be your priorities in life? Possessions, wealth, pleasures, entertainment, sports - all are temporary and will end. Pleasing people, popularity, even life and good health will end. Only serving God leads to eternal rewards and lasting blessings.
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Introduction:
“[W]hat you see is all that matters.” This statement in a book I read expresses the extreme view of materialism: the things we physically experience in this life are all that is important.
2 Corinthians 4:18 – The things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. Here God’s word expresses the importance of spiritual things.
Anything you can see or experience with physical senses is temporary: it will pass. The things that are eternal cannot be seen. We often focus and emphasize physical things as though they are really important, but they are relatively unimportant compared to things that are eternal.
In this study let us consider the relative unimportance of temporary things.
The Earth / Material Possessions / Wealth
The Earth and Everything on It Are Temporary.
Psalm 102:25-27
Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure; yes, they will all grow old like a garment. Like a cloak You will change them, and they will be changed, but You are the same, and Your years have no end.
The things that are seen are temporary: this includes the sky, the earth, and everything on it. What we cannot see but is truly eternal is the God who created everything.
2 Peter 3:10,11
On the day of the Lord, the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness.
All your life, the earth and all the physical things in nature have been here: the sky, fields, hills, trees. It is easy to conclude that they will always be here. But the Bible says they are temporary. The things we cannot see are far more important: God, His salvation and righteousness, and living a holy and godly life.
Do we always act as though our service to God is most important? Do we put first things first?
(Isaiah 51:6; 1 John 2:15-17; Matthew 24:35; 1 Corinthians 7:31)
Wealth and Material Possessions Are Tenporary
Matthew 6:19-21,33
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. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Clothing seems important, but flowers are clothed more richly than the richest of men. Yet someday people like the flowers will die. So seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
What is really important? What will really last? If we lay up treasure in heaven by seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, we can have eternal blessings that can never be taken from us. What are our priorities?
Matthew 16:26,27
For what profit is it if a man gains the whole world and loses his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For Jesus will come and reward each according to his works.
Some people think wealth will give satisfaction. But suppose we gain all this world’s goods we could ever want. Life will soon be over and we will face the Lord and give an answer for our lives. If we are lost eternally, what then?
Remember, the things we can see are temporary: house and property, furniture, clothing, cars, RV, boat. They seem so real. They give us comfort, satisfaction, and pride of possession.
But we really know they are all temporary. Clothes wear out. A car does not run right or rusts or gets wrecked. New computers are outdated. Investments lose value.
When we are young, things seem so permanent and unchanging: house or school or stores. Years after graduation, I visited the high school I attended. The building was abandoned. The building where I attended junior high was completely gone!
1 Timothy 6:6-11
We brought nothing into this world, and we can carry nothing out. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
We can physically experience this world and all its wealth. But we brought none of it with us when we came and will take none of it with us when we go. Focusing our time and effort on worldly goods leads to temptation, destruction, and will pierce us through with many sorrows.
What are our real priorities? Wealth and possessions are not necessarily sinful. But what really is worth pursuing? Righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness: seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Only humble service to God based on gratitude for all God’s blessings will lead to real satisfaction in this life and eternal blessings forever after this life.
John 6:27
Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you.
O to be like Thee! blessed Redeemer …
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear …
All that I am and have I am bringing –
Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine.
- Thomas Chisholm
What is really important to you? On what basis are you building your hope for the future?
(Hebrews 10:34; Ecclesiastes 5:15,16; 1 Peter 1:7; 1 John 2:14-17; Acts 8:20; Colossians 2:22; Hebrews 1:11; James 1:10,11; Amos 3:15; James 5:1-5)
Pleasure / Entertainment / Recreation / Sports / Travel / Vacations
Many are so wrapped up in the pleasures and enjoyments of this life – entertainment, recreation, travel, or sports – that these things take priority over their service to God.
1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Why should we not love the world and its pleasures? They are passing away! Like all physical things, they are temporary. What we enjoy today we may not enjoy tomorrow. As we grow older, we find the things we used to enjoy we cannot do or no longer enjoy.
Ecclesiastes 2:10,11
I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure … 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.
Solomon enjoyed wealth and possessions as much as anyone could. Everything you have that you enjoy, he had something like it or better. He concluded it was vanity and grasping for wind. It had no profit. All such pleasures we can see and observe are temporary. Whatever pleasure and enjoyment they give does not last.
Many pleasures people pursue are sinful. Even wholesome forms of entertainment give only temporary enjoyment. Soon we want something else. Every pleasure of this life comes to an end.
Hebrews 11:24-26
Moses chose to suffer affliction with the people of God rather than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
Like Solomon, Moses could have enjoyed the wealth and pleasure of royalty. Instead, he chose to suffer tribulation and hardship to lead God’s people out of slavery. Why? Because the pleasure would be “passing”: temporary. But serving God would lead to a far greater reward.
Moses learned what we need to learn. We can emphasize pleasure and enjoyment that will pass away, or we can present our lives as a sacrifice to the service of God so we might receive an eternal reward. It is a matter of priorities.
1 Timothy 4:8; 1 Corinthians 9:25
1 Timothy 4:8 – For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things. It has promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
1 Corinthians 9:25 – Everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
Some athletics can be wholesome, but consider the focus. When you watch the antics of fans at sports events, it is incredible how wrapped up some of them are. Bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness not only benefits in this life but has promise of the life to come. Athletes compete for a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown: the temporary vs. the eternal.
Psalm 84:10
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Many choose other activities instead of worshiping God: sports events, school activities, dance halls, taverns, beaches, or even the workplace. Jesus’ true followers would rather be in the place of worship with God’s people than any of those places.
See the contrast between the temporary and the eternal. Some devote months and years to their sports or their children’s sports. Some neglect opportunities to worship God or study His word. But if they win the game, there is just another game next week or another championship next year. Like everything else that you can physically observe, it is temporary.
Emphasis on godliness leads to an imperishable crown: the life that is to come. Each of us has a limited amount of time, ability, and resources. How we use them demonstrates our priorities. We must choose in light of our eternal destiny.
All to Jesus I surrender; All to him I freely give…
Worldly pleasures all forsaken. Take me, Jesus, take me now…
I surrender all, I surrender all.
All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.
- Judson Van de Venter
What is your priority, and where is your emphasis in life?
(Luke 8:14; 12:16-2; 10:38-42; 1 Timothy 5:6; 2 Timothy 3:4; John 6:27; Psalm 112:10; James 5:1-5; Proverbs 21:17)
Pleasing People / Fame / Popularity
Other fleeting, temporary aspects of life include fame, popularity, and the favor of people. These too should not be our priorities.
Galatians 1:10
For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
Before his conversion, Paul was highly favored among Jewish leaders. When he became a Christian, the Jews became his enemies persecuting him everywhere. Had pleasing people been his priority, he would never have become a Christian. Favor of people is temporary and easily lost.
Matthew 23:5; 6:1-18
Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees because all their works they did to be seen by men. They made long prayers in public places, made great ceremonies out of giving charitable gifts, and made a great show of fasting to impress people.
Jesus said, “They have their reward.” Whatever honor or praise people gave them, that is all the reward they would receive. They can expect no reward from God. The praises of men are temporary at best. So, we should not emphasize pleasing people above obedience to God.
Matthew 10:37; 19:29
Matthew 10:37 – He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
Often we must choose whether to please Jesus or people: it may be family members, friends, schoolmates or teachers, team mates or coaches, co-workers or supervisors. What Jesus wants often conflicts with what people want. Which we choose demonstrates whom we love most.
Matthew 19:29 – Everyone who leaves houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life.
When we choose to serve Jesus at the cost of displeasing or even losing loved ones or other people, Jesus rewards us, not just in this life but in eternity: the temporary vs. the eternal.
Romans 2:28,29
He is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.
Jews placed great emphasis on physical circumcision and on their ancestry through Abraham. Many believed Jews were assured of God’s favor. But circumcision, earthly ancestry, and honor from people are outward in the flesh, pertaining to this life only: temporary. What is really important is proper service to God from within, from the heart, so God is pleased.
Acts 5:29
We must obey God rather than man.
Some people claim to follow Jesus but they choose to please people even at the cost of not obeying Divine commands. This is a clear case of misplaced priorities. Whatever benefit we receive from pleasing people is temporary at best. But after this life, we will face God in the judgment. What then?
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me, After Thy will…
Hold o’er my being Absolute sway.
- Adelaide Pollard
What is your priority in life? Whom do you seek to please above all else?
(Matthew 10:37; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; John 12:42,43; 5:44; Acts 4:19; 2 Corinthians 10:12; Job 18:17; Psalm 49:12; 49:20; Amos 2:14)
Physical Life / Health / Strength
Most people place great emphasis on having good health and avoiding death. This is not wrong of itself, but this life is temporary. How important should it be?
Earthly life is temporary
Job 7:9 – Like a cloud that disappears, we go down to the grave and do not come up.
Psalm 78:39 – We are but flesh, a breath that passes away and does not come again.
James 4:14 – For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
Isaiah 51:6 – The heavens will vanish away like smoke, the earth will grow old like a garment, and those who dwell in it will die in like manner; but My salvation will be forever, and My righteousness will not be abolished.
Someday we will leave this world and everything here. This seems hard to believe when we are young. Yet sooner or later one by one we see people leaving. Our grandparents go, then our own parents and their generation go, and soon we are the older generation. We know it is true, yet it is so hard to believe it will happen to us. It will come to you sooner than you can ever imagine.
Our physical life and bodies are temporary and will surely come to an end. But God’s salvation is forever. So what should be our priority? For what purpose should we use our bodies?
1 Corinthians 6:19,20
Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
God gave you your body to use in His service to give Him glory. This may require sacrificing your body or health to please God. Many saints have died for the cause of Christ. Others have suffered physical hardships and danger. This is all a matter of proper priorities.
Sooner or later we will leave this body. Like everything else that you can see or touch, it is temporary. We should care for it and not foolishly harm it; but we should use it in God’s service, which may at times require sacrificing health or life. This is a matter proper priorities.
(Ecclesiastes 1:4; 9:6; Job 20:7; 30:2; 34:15,20; Psalm 37:36,20; 49:10,12,20; 146:4; Proverbs 10:28; 11:7)
Conclusion
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
The context contrasts the outward man to the inward man. Just as surely as you have an outward may you can see, you also have an inward man you cannot see. Even as the outward man suffers, the inward man can grow stronger because we know this life’s problems are temporary. We should emphasize the exceeding and eternal weight of glory that awaits us.
Higher than the highest heavens, Deeper than the deepest sea.
Lord, Thy love at last has conquered. None of self and all of Thee.
None of self and all of Thee…
Lord, Thy love at last has conquered. None of self and all of Thee.
- Theodore Monod
What is your priority in life? Who takes first place? Whose will controls your life?
(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2024; gospelway.com
