In what ways can we prioritize eternal values over worldly concerns today? A World Passing Away “those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it. For this world in its present form is passing away.” (1 Corinthians 7:31) Paul’s plain statement reminds us that everything we can see, spend, collect, or post about is already fading. Knowing that fact changes how we live today. Holding Earthly Things Loosely • Enjoy what God provides—homes, jobs, hobbies—without clinging to them. • Refuse to let possessions or positions define identity; Christ already has. • Keep short accounts with money and material desires, because the world’s shelf life is brief. Choosing What Lasts • Relationships: invest in people who will exist forever, not in things that won’t (1 Thessalonians 2:19–20). • Character: cultivate faith, hope, and love; these abide when economies and trends collapse (1 Corinthians 13:13). • Gospel impact: time spent sharing Christ outlives every earthly project (Philippians 2:16). Daily Practices that Prioritize Eternity • Begin the day setting mind “on things above” (Colossians 3:1–2). • Build a budget that reflects “treasure in heaven” (Matthew 6:19–21); give first, spend later. • Schedule regular digital “Sabbaths” to break the trance of constant worldly input. • Serve in a local congregation—ordinary acts become eternal investments (Hebrews 6:10). • Evaluate big decisions by asking, “Will this matter in 10,000 years?” Scripture That Strengthens the Resolve • Matthew 6:19–21: store treasure where moth and rust can’t touch it. • 2 Corinthians 4:18: focus on the unseen because the seen is temporary. • 1 John 2:17: the world and its desires are passing away, but doing God’s will lasts. • Luke 12:15: life is not measured by possessions. • Hebrews 12:1–2: fix eyes on Jesus and run the race without worldly weights. A Life That Points Home Living “as though not making full use” of the world doesn’t mean withdrawal; it means engagement with open hands. When careers, schedules, and friendships are steered by eternal priorities, the fading world sees that Christ is better—and some will join us in the kingdom that never ends. |
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