Because of original sin, the world and everything in it is in bondage to decay, enslaved to corruption (Rom 8:21). This means that from the moment of conception, creation, formation all things living and inanimate move towards decay, corruption, death.
Everything we purchase will one day fall apart, fail and be discarded. Roots rot. Even gold will eventually deteriorate over time. And no matter how much we have, the day will come when we have to leave it all behind.
As Christians, that which we will have with us forever, that which will always and ever grow and strengthen over time if properly and continually nurtured, is our relationship with God.
So, do we put more energy into acquiring stuff, accumulating wealth and satisfying our wants, with things that deteriorate; or do we more greatly tend to and nurture our relationship with Christ?
Given that we tend to give less attention to that which is less important, what does that say about our relationship with Christ?
The world boldly, loudly entices and encourages accumulation, receiving personal accolades (how many internet followers do you have), acquiring status symbols (Louis Vuitton, Nike) and gaining personal satisfaction. All a massive, successful strategy by the evil one to keep our eyes off God, our hearts seeking stuff and personal satisfaction, rather than relationship with the Holy, Almighty God.
If we have bought into this, we have been duped.
Matt 6:19: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
2 Cor 4:7: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” Here Scripture is revealing to us:
that “the treasure” is God’s presence and power within the believer and the message of salvation, all coming from our relationship with Christ Jesus – THAT is the incorruptible, eternal and most precious treasure!
Having nice things is not bad, unless it takes priority over our relationship with Christ.
So, we must honestly ask ourselves, what does my life say about my priorities?
2 Corinthians 4: “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day (vs 16). So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (vs 18).”
Lord, our daily tasks and responsibilities, our desires, our ears bent towards listening to the world’s messages, all contribute to misprioritizing our lives. Lord, help us to make our relationship with You top priority, our most precious treasure, that which we treat with the greatest, utmost importance. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
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