Work for What is Everlasting

Scripture Reading

Proverbs 23:4-5 and James 4:13-15

Proverbs 23:4-5

4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. 5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

James 4:13-15

13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

Devotional

I love the book of Proverbs because it’s jammed packed full of wisdom in simple and plain language. In this passage the author, likely King Solomon, warns us against wearing ourselves out trying to “get rich.” Society tells us to focus all of our attention on worldly things like buying newer, bigger, and shinier things and we naturally desire good things for ourselves and our family, but to what end? It’s not bad to want good things for yourself and others, but it can be when at the root of it is actually greed. It’s easy to do. Maybe you’re at a job and you’re making $25,000 a year and you say “man, if only I could make $50,000 then I’ll be happy.” Guess what happens when that person makes their desired amount? Magically, they have a new set point of what will make them “truly” happy. The best thing you can do for yourself is to find joy with what God has already provided so that you will never be dissatisfied. The warning signs that you may be overworking yourself chasing money is if you are never content with your life or if you are quick to work but equally quick to make excuses why you cannot spend time with God.

People will slave away at their job for 60+ years in hopes to enjoy the last few good years they have on this Earth or some people will hoard it as if they can take it all with them. The bottom line is that God wants us to focus on things that are everlasting, eternal, and worthy of our labor. Those things are things that are rooted in him. James 4:13-15 reminds us that we may make all of these great plans to acquire wealth, but if that’s our life’s focus and not God, then we’re wasting our time. The passage states that our time here is short, so we need to consider God’s will in our plans and keep him at the center of all that we do.

So, what kind of things does God want us to spend our time on?

1) Doing good for others (Galatians 6:9-10)

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

2) Fellowshipping with others (Hebrews 10:24-25)

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

3) Spending time with God both in prayer and by reading of his Word (Matthew 6:6, Romans 10:17)

Matthew 6:6

6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Romans 10:17

17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

4) Focusing on things that are everlasting (2 Corinthians 4:18)

18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

5) Responding quickly to things God has called us, specifically, to do (Psalm 119:32)

32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.

Today, I want to encourage you to make sure God is an active part of your life and a not a bystander. The five items above are just a snippet of what God wants us to do, it’s not meant to a comprehensive list, but they are some for you to consider. If there’s an area mentioned above that you feel the Holy Spirit asking you to work on, let’s pray over it.

Prayer

Father God, I desire you to be the center of every aspect of my life. Thank you for the reminder not to focus on temporary things, but on things that are eternal. I pray that I spend my time the way you want me to – loving others, going to church and meeting with other believers, reading your Word, praying, and responding quickly when you call me to do something. I pray that you would help me and bless my life in each of these areas. Help me to remain motivated when life feels overwhelming by prioritizing you first. I know if it was important for Jesus to do the things mentioned above, it’s even more important for me. Amen.