What are you living for?

What are you living for? Why are you here? Are you here to get as much out of life as you can, to accumulate whatever you can? Jesus said, "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 also be" (Matthew 6:19-21 NIV).

Is pleasure what you are all about? "By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt because he was looking ahead to his reward" (Hebrews 11:24-26 NIV).

Or are your motives more altruistic? Is another person, a relationship, a spouse, a child your reason for living? Jesus said, "Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 10:37-39 NIV). Another gospel account says, "You cannot be my disciple unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot come with me unless you love me more than you love your own life" (Luke 14:26 CEV).

"But more than anything else put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well" (Matthew 6:33 CEV). That's what this life is all about. It's not that nothing else matters, but it's that all the other good things are gifts from God. He is to be the central focus of our lives, the hub from which all the other good things flow. When we die, we are taking as much out as we came with, nothing. So invest in eternity, in your heavenly bank account if you will. If you have trusted in Christ alone for the forgiveness of your sins, then everything you do to advance his kingdom and live in obedience to him will count toward your eternal rewards. Remember that every day, all throughout your day, and even the most everyday tasks will take on eternal significance if you see them as opportunities to serve Christ.