“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
(Matthew 6:19-21 NIV)
When we come to know Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, He also becomes our Friend. He takes hold of our hand and invites us to follow Him. Unfortunately, the world quickly grabs our other hand and pulls us in the opposite direction. We must decide which hand to continue holding and which hand to drop. When we try to hold onto both, we’re caught in a tug-of-war.
The world’s hand offers a taste of “The Good Life” – worldly pleasures experienced through our five senses. Although the things of this world seem appealing, they are temporary at best.
The hand of Jesus offers us a taste of “The God Life” – spiritual blessings that are experienced through faith. These fruits of the spirit are eternal: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, and self-control (see Galatians 5:22-23). Often, we are asked to let go of worldly priorities to follow Jesus. We can’t love the things of the world and the things of God equally. Which have you chosen?