What Advantage

In Luke 9:25, Jesus asked a question or makes a statement.  What advantage is it to a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?  This is a very powerful question.  There are so many people these days trying to gain the whole world.  They are running after the things of this world with everything they have.   The Apostle John says the world is all about pride, possessions and pleasure.  The crazy thing these days at least in North America.  It seems that the church does not look much different than the world.  We seem to be chasing the same things.  We may be a little more subtle about it but we are looking a lot like the world.  We have prosperity preaching to help us get stuff.  We tell ourselves that it is our right to miss church because we are tired or busy, have sports activities or want to go to the cabin or beach.  We pursue the same degrees as the world and hide it under the guise of education.  I am not against having a nice home, car or possessions.  I believe in education and people needing time off but not at the expense of the kingdom of God.  Jesus says following the world and the things of this world have no advantage to your soul.  Jesus says whoever loses his life for Jesus' sake will gain the kingdom of God.  You will have righteousness, peace and joy in your life.  You will be able to save your family, friends and people in your world.  It is time for the people of God to think things through and look at life not in the present but for the future.  We are pilgrims passing through.  This world is not our home.  We are like Abraham we are looking for a city whose maker and builder is God.  This is not as good as it gets.  I have performed in my lifetime over 400 funerals and I can tell you by experience not one person in a coffin cared a thing about the things of this world.  So it is time for us to get our priorities straight and look to the future.  Funny thing about eternity it is only seconds away.  I trust you are ready for it.