Scripture:
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? – Matthew 16:25

Observation:
Jesus and the fellows were hanging out and have a little sit down. During the discussion, Jesus asked them who people thought he was, who they thought he was. Pete spoke up and said Jesus is the Messiah. Not long after that Jesus began telling the disciples that he would be handed over to the officials to be killed. Pete again spoke up and rebuked Jesus saying that he’d never let it happen, to which Jesus rebuked the devil for chiming in and being out of line. Then Jesus told them that anyone that wanted to be his disciple had to forsake their personal wants and take up his cause for the sake of the kingdom. He noted that anyone who thinks they can manage their affairs alone will lose one’s life, but those who depend on the LORD and give up their life for him will save one’s life.

Application:
As a child, my mother warned me against the temptations and trappings of excess and material gain. She noted how many a star racked up fame and fortune only to end up losing their lives in the process. Her favorite example during my childhood was Elvis. He climbed the star charts, made a fortune, had just about thing in life he wanted, got messed up on drugs and alcohol, and ended up dying and leaving his amassed fortune behind. Her point was that Elvis exemplified what Jesus said about gaining the whole world and losing your soul in the process. Elvis Aaron Presley is now going to spend eternity without God, suffering the flames of a demon’s hell! And to what end? His riches couldn’t save him. His fame couldn’t bring him eternal life. It sure didn’t immortalize him because his name will eventually be forgotten in eternity to come.

Thus we see that Jesus spoke truth about one who tried to save his life through what one gained in this life only to lose eternal life. Is it any wonder why Jesus said to lay your treasures in heaven where moth, rust, and decay have no effect? Eternal things have eternal rewards! Temporal things only last in this lifetime. No wonder Solomon in all his wisdom said that it’s all vanity to try to get all you can, can all you get, and then end up leaving it behind for someone else. Why? Because you came into this world with nothing and leave it the same way. However, if you give up your physical life for the sake of God’s kingdom, you’ll have eternity to gain! It’s a promise from the Messiah! Count on it!

Prayer:
Father, thank you for  this truth from your word. So many people scurry through life trying to amass great wealth and treasures only to leave them for others to enjoy and even to their peril. You said that earthly wealth, left in the hands of greedy people, will consume them and their lives. Your word also teaches that it is extremely hard for the rich to enter into eternal life because they are consumed by their wealth. It becomes their god. How sad! Thankfully, you have promised eternal life to those who have heeded your call to surrender their lives to you and for the sake of the kingdom, with some even to the point of death. In that death they will find eternal life in Jesus! What a concept! What a way to go! Help me to not only live for you but also to be ready to die for you! I love you and trust you. May your will be done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.