As human beings, we get the values of life and death
backwards. We will sacrifice the quality of our life for the quantity of life.
We often live years past our optimal health and spend more money than we have
to suffer endless procedures and live off dozens of expensive medications. Yet,
what is the Biblical view of life and death?
Paul said, “For me to live is Christ, but to die is gain (Philippians 1:21).” In other words, He
was happy to serve the Lord on this earth for as long as it pleased the Lord
for him to do so; but once his usefulness was over, he was ready, willing and
able to go home to be with the Lord. That was where his hope and rest lay. That
is where we all gain the eternal rest from our labors.
The wise Solomon recognized that the day of our death is
better than the day of our birth (Ecclesiastes 7:1); yet we humans rejoice at a new birth and cry
at a funeral. Of course, the tears at the funeral are more for our self than
the deceased, because of our separation from our loved one; but if we realize
that, in Christ, we will live in eternity with that same loved one, then we do
not sorrow as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:12-18).
We toil all of our life to gain the things of this world,
and then turn around and leave them all behind to people who do not value them
as we did. They usually donate everything we worked so hard to attain to some
charity resale shop to be sold at a fraction of what we paid for them. What is
the sense in that? Why do we put so much stock in this world’s goods?
A home, transportation, food and necessary apparel with a
hobby or two thrown in are enough for anyone. Yet, so many slave to have the
best that money can buy. The entire focus of their life is to get that one more
thing. Yet, nothing ever really satisfies their soul. Only a life dedicated to
the service of God for His glory pays the real dividends that we are looking
for in this life and in the next.
Prayer:
Father God, remind us to store up our treasure in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust can destroy them (Matthew 6:19-24). Help us to use the wealth
You give to us on this earth to help to lighten the load of those less
fortunate than we are and also to help to further Your gospel to the far
reaches of the earth.
Thought for the Day:
It is the simple pleasures of life that really mean so
much and cost so little.
