“You are invited into a life of eternal significance.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 2, 2023
And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15, NKJV
Certain virtues are so deeply ingrained in our society that we accept their truthfulness without ever giving them a second thought: Work hard. Climb the ladder. Prove your worth. Yet what if these virtues – and countless others like them – have the ability to push us further away from the kingdom of God, rather than preparing us for it?
Of course, there’s a danger here on both sides. Is it good to work hard? Absolutely! Remember the words of Proverbs 6:6, “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” Yet this admonition is balanced by the words of Ecclesiastes 1:3-4. “What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.” Yes, work hard as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23), yet all of our labors and the mini-kingdoms we build are fleeting, soon to be forgotten and left behind.
In light of this, let us today heed the words of Luke 16, where our Lord reminds us of a profound truth: “What is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”
The kingdom of God and the values of our world sometimes overlap and find alignment, yet often stand deeply opposed. We must cultivate eyes to see this and the wisdom to discern places of agreement and opposition. If we fail to do so, we will invest years of our lives in building upon foundations of sand, while the eternal work of the kingdom is neglected and ignored.
You are invited into a life of eternal significance, able to invest your time, talent, and treasure in that which is eternal, revealing the values of the kingdom here in the present. This is a holy and high calling. Do not settle for anything less. Do not spend the fleeting time that you’ve been given on that which will fade and pass away. Set your sights afresh on the virtues of heaven, and by your actions, chart a course to that eternal destination.
Prayer
Father, give us discerning hearts that are able to see that which is eternal, and that which is passing away, and the courage to invest in the virtues of your kingdom, through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.
Application
Consider ways that you have spent too much time investing in that which is “highly esteemed” by mankind.
Related Reading
1 Chronicles 29:11; Matthew 6:33; 2 Peter 1:10-11
Worship Resource
Maverick City Music ft. Chandler Moore & Nate Moore: Is He Worthy
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