“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” – Mark 8:36
You may have all the billions of the wealthiest entrepreneurs, all the trophies of the greatest athletes, and all the fame of those famous for being famous, but you’ll lose it all (from your perspective) within a few years regardless. When you die, none of those things will go with you into eternity. Whether your life be long or short by human standards, even a hundred years of wealth, success, and fame is nothing compared to forever.
Jesus regularly invites us to re-think what’s important in our lives. The things our culture and instincts say are important have little lasting significance. What matters is where we will spend the untold billions of years after we die. What matters is the treasure, rewards, and commendations of God we send ahead of us into eternity through faithfulness here on earth.
Our relationship with God through Jesus Christ is the only thing that determines where we’ll spend eternity. The only thing. The things we’ll enjoy in heaven as followers of Christ have nothing to do with our earthly fame, success, or bank balance. What matters for all eternity are the lives we influence for Christ, our faithfulness in serving and humbly following Jesus day after day, and how well we manage the resources, time, and talents God blesses us with.
Never trade your faith, your faithfulness, your Christian integrity, or your Gospel witness for the sake of earthly rewards! They simply won’t last. What will? “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21)