Matthew 16:26 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?"”

When Jesus posed this question, he was asking his followers to weigh what this world has to offer versus what the next has to offer. Which is more important – the physical or the spiritual? What is of more value – this temporary worldly life or the eternity that you will spend in one of two places? Again, Jesus does not give anyone the answer since the answer is for the choosing of each individual. It is not possible to live for this world and the next. Living for the world sets you at odds with the kingdom of God. What should our focus be? Do we store up treasure here, knowing we cannot take it with us? Or do we work towards those rewards that will await us where we will spend forever? It would seem like an easy choice except for those raised in a society of ‘instant gratification’. Just because the choice is simple, we live for us or we live for him, doesn’t mean that the answer is simple. The truth is rarely difficult to understand but often difficult to accept. If you believe your soul (and the eternity it represents) is priceless…than your answer is easy: ‘take up your cross’ and follow him. (Matt 16:24-25)

Pray: “Holy Father, forgive me those times I selfishly tried to live with one foot in the world and one foot in your house. I know the truth. I know my spiritual being, the part of me that reflects you, is of far greater value. Help me then to choose each day to die to my old self, and question all things in my life whether they be part of my “old life” or part of my “new life”, so that I may reject all that is of the past. Since I cannot choose both…I choose you, Lord. In my Savior’s precious name I pray – Amen”