Being good to others and communicating well with God is very important to our spiritual health. Our motives in life will always be selfish if we cannot put God first in our life and others second. One way of finding out what we treasure here on earth is to see how much time we spend doing various activities. Whatever you spend more than ten percent of your time on will start to paint the picture of your worldly treasures.
Some people spend most of their lives paying for a home that will be to unmanageable when they retire. Some people spend their lives growing a company that is built upon personality. Some people spend their lives wasting away what little they had for savings. Imagine all the products we purchase from places like Walmart that have to be replaced often. What about all those dollar toys we buy for kids that break in the package? All for what? Things that rot, mold, or become dust covered?
There is a popular show called American Pickers where two men search through the “treasures” of others in hopes of finding pieces of history (or things that will bring a great resell value). Most of what they climb through is junk. Yet every episode has people clinging to their past and refusing to let it go. Their “treasure” is covered in dust, rust, and many times weeds. All for what?
There is nothing wrong with providing for one’s family. There is nothing wrong with having things. The wrong is introduced when these things possess us more than God. Our things will fall to pieces after we are gone, but eternity with God is everlasting. When we cannot let things go, we are holding on to the rust and decay in our lives. This is why hoarding is becoming such a disease among many lonely people. Hoarding is a disease of the lonely hearts – hearts that do not know true relationship. They serve their things not God.
Jesus messes with the “hearts” of those who had built a life for themselves in the Promised Land. Store treasure in heaven not on earth. How do we do that? We have to learn how to prioritize our lives. Jesus has been teaching us to worship God, minister to the needs of others, and to care for our personal needs. He also teaches us how important our relationships are.
I went to a conference featuring Ronnie Floyd, a pastor in Arkansas, and he gave the following list for personal priorities to be followed in this order:
- Your personal relationship and fellowship with God - This leads to order one’s life.
- Your family (1 Timothy 3:4) – There is no dress rehearsal in marriage or in parenting! Never miss things that are important to your children and spend time with your spouse. For those who are not married, build relationships and grow in them.
- Your church – Christ died for the church not the corporation. Where and how are you serving in your church?
- Your job – Our Christ-centered life should be an example to others. Our work ethic must reflect the Christ we serve. Besides, our workplace is the most direct place for building relationships with people who do not attend church as a means of leading them to God.
- Your recreation – We all need a break from time to time. God rested on the seventh day to enjoy His creation; we should also.
“When your priorities are not in line, then your life will be disorderly and ineffective, resulting in much indecision. The result of a prioritized life is balance and order. Your life never lies to you.”
We cannot serve our desire for wealth and serve God at the same time. One will win out over the other. With priorities that are out of line, our lives are in the dark. Sure you may be focused, but on what? Sure you may have direction, but to where and to what end? Will you ever have real satisfaction?
Bill Gates is learning how satisfying giving away wealth can be. In fact, he has made it his full time job. What would his life had been like if he had been as focused on changing problems in the world as he was with building the Microsoft brand? You cannot give away enough to make up for the missed opportunities you have throughout your lifetime.
Sin clouds our ability to have a prioritized life. Sin is a hindrance to accomplishing God’s plan for our lives. This is why we must make the choice: will we serve our selfish desires or will we use our desire for God to do great things? Look at how many wealthy people despise God. Not all do but those who do are well quoted and documented. How do you view God: is He getting in the way of your desires or is He helping you to focus your dreams and desires?
- Who are you serving?
- Have you ever charted your time? What was the outcome?
- Do you have a prioritized life? What would you need to change to get there?
- What do you need to release in order to follow God with your whole heart?
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