The Present Versus Eternity
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.”
Luke 6:20–21
Given our choice, none of us would select poverty, hunger, and weeping for our condition. We prefer to have enough money, food, and joy rather than sorrow—and there is nothing wrong with that. Yet at the same time we need to recognize that there is something far more important than temporal comfort and pleasure. In fact, there are many cases where it is the very things that we lack that bring us lasting and eternal blessings. The missionary martyr Jim Elliot said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
God wants us to ask Him for things we want as well as our bare necessities; but we must remember to keep our focus on Him and what matters for eternity, rather than on things that only matter for a little while. When we do that, the problems of greed and covetousness will be eliminated, and we will be blessed as a result. The Christian whose affections are set on the eternal will avoid much temptation.
Paul wrote, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:11–12). All of us should strive for the spirit of contentment that acknowledges God’s goodness and love in providing what He knows we need.
Luke 6:20–21
Given our choice, none of us would select poverty, hunger, and weeping for our condition. We prefer to have enough money, food, and joy rather than sorrow—and there is nothing wrong with that. Yet at the same time we need to recognize that there is something far more important than temporal comfort and pleasure. In fact, there are many cases where it is the very things that we lack that bring us lasting and eternal blessings. The missionary martyr Jim Elliot said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
God wants us to ask Him for things we want as well as our bare necessities; but we must remember to keep our focus on Him and what matters for eternity, rather than on things that only matter for a little while. When we do that, the problems of greed and covetousness will be eliminated, and we will be blessed as a result. The Christian whose affections are set on the eternal will avoid much temptation.
Paul wrote, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:11–12). All of us should strive for the spirit of contentment that acknowledges God’s goodness and love in providing what He knows we need.
Today’s Growth Principle:
If our focus is on the eternal, hardship and lack in the present will not cause us to lose faith in God.
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