What do you truly long for in life?

Take a look around you. What do you see that will last forever?

Other than the people around you, nothing will last forever, and even their bodies will return to dust. Your home will eventually fall apart. Your car will break down and rust away. Your computer will become outdated and get junked. It’s all going away.

Not Evil
Does this make all these things useless or evil? There are some who would claim that having any of these things is wrong. However, the Bible doesn’t tell us that. In fact, the Bible gives plenty of stories and commands regarding using the things of this world. We care for the poor. We provide for our family. Ecclesiastes even says we should enjoy them!

Not Engrossed in Them
The Bible, however, also tells us to keep these things in perspective. They are not the end to be sought. They will not bring eternal joy or benefit. They will pass away. So, don’t be engrossed in them. Don’t allow the stuff of life to become your sole or primary focus. It’s there for your use and your enjoyment.

A carpenter doesn’t go out and buy a hammer just to have a hammer. They want the hammer so they can use it to build. These earthly things in our lives are, essentially, tools to be used. Use them wisely.

Think about the ways you can use them for the good of yourself and others and for the glory of God. Use the temporal things for the benefit of eternal things. Enjoy them, but keep them in perspective. Or, as I’ve heard it said before…