Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 16; 17; 18; Luke 17:20-37.
Memory Verse: “Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” Luke 17:33 (KJV)
We came to the world naked without any clothing and we will return to God without anything. Anyone dead cannot hold any of his possessions. This is why it’s important that less emphasis is placed on earthly acquisitions because you will leave everything when death comes knocking.
Unfortunately, a number of people spend so much time acquiring earthly things and spend more time to defend those acquisitions. Some don’t even mind killing people or causing them incalculable damage in the course of their acquisition of earthly things. Imagine someone who forges another man’s signature so as to collect sums that do not belong to him. Or a man who deals ruthlessly with another man in order to have a relationship with a lady.
In all cases, when men try to protect themselves by defending their positions or possession, that is similar to saving their lives. It’s like protecting themselves against the future but look at the example given by the Lord Jesus in our bible reading for today; Luke 17:26-27 talks about the days of Noah when men focused on their possessions and cared less about heaven, but on a day Noah entered the ark, flood came and destroyed all the people and their belongings. They ended up losing their lives! Similarly in Luke 17:28-29, in the days of Lot, as soon as he left Sodom, fire came and consumed all the people and their love of immorality and all their possessions. They lost their lives while trying to save it by satisfying their bodily lusts.
What are you running after at the expense of God’s kingdom? While it is good for you to work hard and earn decent living, doing so at the expense of your future home in heaven is tantamount to seeking to save your life. Luke 17:33 (KJV) is clear, “Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” It’s therefore important to pay attention to what the bible says in Matthew 6:33 (KJV), “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Prayer: Father, help me never to lose my focus on heaven for the rest of my life in Jesus mighty name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero