Matthew 16:26a

“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?”

Most of us spend years trying to “gain the whole world”, or at least a significant portion of it. We work and work and work in order to get more of what, exactly? Stuff that will be utterly worthless to us when we step into eternity. Sure, we can enjoy it for a time…I certainly do…but in the end it will pass away and amount to nothing.

Hold on…it gets worse.

In today’s language, Jesus is saying “Let’s assume you were to become the richest man on earth, yet you refuse to come to Me in faith, repenting of your sins and seeking my forgiveness. You will have the jets, the yachts, the homes on various continents and every indulgence your mind can imagine, but once you die you will be ushered into an eternity of torment and damnation. Did you make a wise decision or a foolish one?”

The answer is obvious, isn’t it?

Let’s look at it a different way. As a born again Child of God, upon your physical death you will be ushered into a Kingdom of eternal bliss where incredible riches beyond your imagination will be showered upon you and you will live in eternal fellowship with the King of the Universe and the rest of the family of faith! So what’s it gonna be? 75 years on earth with some decent stuff or an eternity in Heaven surrounded by things more valuable and beautiful than your mind can possibly fathom?

The Savior’s point is simple: there is no comparison.

Those who invest only in the temporary will pay a terrible price for all eternity whereas those who live for Christ will receive rewards without end. Oh sure…you might have to wait a few years or even a few decades, but it will be worth it.