“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” 1 Corinthians 15:19
Lately, I have been frequently hearing Sermons centred on this verse. It is also one of my favourite verses as it reaffirms the answer to the most important question of humanity, “Why do I live?” Even after being saved, many times we live our lives in such a way as though we belong to the world. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:18, “While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” We often fail to understand that the life we are going to live with our Lord is far more important than the life we live here on earth and the glory of heaven is incomparable to the riches of this world. We keep setting our hearts and minds on things that would cease to exist one day. But on the other hand, Jesus went on to narrate the parable of a rich man (Refer Luke 12:13-21) in response to the person who requested to divide his inheritance with his brother . This rich man had a bountiful harvest but had no room to store the crops. He thought within himself to rebuild his barns, store his riches and enjoy his life. “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’” (Luke 12:20) The rich man’s problem wasn’t his wealth but his perception of his wealth. He was blindfolded by his wealth and his life was materialistic. He earned everything he needed for his luxurious living but had forgotten to do the will of God. Are we also like the rich man, setting our minds on the things of the world and failing to stay faithful to God’s calling? Then this is the time for us to set ourselves right in the sight of God and pursue things of eternal value. Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If we lay up our treasures in heaven, we wouldn’t be setting our hearts and minds on earth. Where is our treasure?
