We have many concerns about our careers. We want to be promoted, achieve our targets, increase our earning capacity, be able to live a relatively comfortable life from our income, and a host of others.
These things are very important and as long as we are in this earth, we will continue to enjoy these fruits of our hands. But what happens to all we acquire when we leave this earth?
They become wastes. We will them out to people we love and care about, or for some to fight for it, or for strangers to take over and if it’s money, lost in the bank.
The various investments continue to yield interest and dividends but no one to claim them. The car you cherish so much and would fight anyone that scratches it will be driven by another person.
Here is what King Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived have to say about this;
“Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.”
Ecclesiastes 1:2-4 KJV
If all the things we spend our time on are considered vanity, what then should be worth our life?
Jesus Christ gives us the answer in the following scriptures;
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Mark 8:36-38 KJV
Imagine you own the entire world, (which you don’t), Jesus made it clear to us that it is worth nothing in this life compared to the most important thing.
What then is this most important thing?
Again, Jesus made it clear in His word in Matthew 6;
“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Matthew 6:31-33 KJV
The one and only thing that should be our preoccupation especially now that we know the end is near is seeking first the kingdom of God. We all know this thing but to what extent are we doing it even as the Bible says we should be both hearer and doer of the word?
In making this practical, few things we can do;
We should have no attachment to the things of this world. Not that we should not work or have aspirations when we seek first the kingdom of God, we must never allow anything to separate us from Christ. You should be able to give up your job, your exalted position etc if they become a threat to your pursuit of the kingdom of God. We must be ready to suffer the loss of these things for the sake of Christ. Nothing of benefit in this world is worth eternity with Christ, and nothing should be too great for us to give up for Christ.
Build treasure for yourself in heaven. Would you rather spend your time building treasures that once you leave this world it is over or build treasure in heaven where it will wait for you and where it will not be corrupted? Give of yourself and resources to promote the kingdom of God. Be in God’s factory manufacturing souls for the kingdom.
No matter what you give up on earth for the kingdom, it cannot be compared to what awaits you in eternity.
Should we now allow the gratification of the moment to cost us eternity with God?
God bless you.
Akindele Afolabi.
Christian Employee Series