Lessons on proper priorities
Key Verses: 1, 3, 6, 17, 21, 22, 24, 33, 34
We all can envision the fashion runway with pencil thin models strutting the latest fashions to the flash and music of hype. We know it is all show, smoke and mirrors. The question arises, do we recognize the same strutting when it happens in the spiritual realm? Do we recognize it in ourselves, when our spiritual practice is done so others can see it and marvel at how spiritual we are?
Jesus says that if we are doing our spiritual acts so others will see them, we get our reward: they see us and we get no reward from God. You can’t get reward from both. This goes for giving money, praying, and fasting. You could put any spiritual discipline in the “zero” heavenly reward category. If it is done so others will see it, the reward is paid in full. It could be teaching a home Bible Study, helping to set up before church, or bringing a meal to a new mom. If it is done so others take notice, reward received.
We have a choice to make: eternal reward, or temporary reward. If our focus is here and now, our reward will be transitory and limited. And we will always be in competition with ourselves and others for the attention spotlight. People will see us for who we really are. They will know our motives, even when we think we are fooling everyone.
If we dwell in worry, our focus is on us and not on others, and on the Lord. Worry does nothing for us. It just gets in the way of doing what we need to do with the right attitude.
If Jesus were walking the earth today, I am sure He would be appalled by the waste of wealth that Westerners have perfected. How many handbags do we need? How many video game consoles, golf clubs, SUVs, jet skis, or knickknacks do we need? If we try to keep up with our neighbors, we will all go broke! The real estate bubble was just a greed bubble. When our personal value depends on the size of our house, we are in trouble.
Jesus wants to set our priorities in order, His kingdom first, then all the other things fall into their proper place in our lives. We read these words and it seems so easy, doesn’t it! But it is hard to put into practice. It takes a moment by moment choice. And we must make the choice over and over again. We must seek Him and His righteousness. This will set our lives right side up.
The Arnold Journey 