When I consider the fleshly temptations that we pursue in this brief and simple life, I can only identify a few that dominate us. Each of them are temptations common to mankind, and it only takes a few years after we’ve been born to become susceptible to them. They include power, drugs, sex, fame and money. In the American culture, I would argue that out of these, the most chased after is money because money, though it is a pursuit unto itself, is also a gateway into these other fleshly pursuits. The Bible has much to say about the sinful pursuits common to mankind. And as a human species, it can be difficult to look beyond these desires; to understand the kind of hold they may have on us. And even if we become aware they are still very difficult to shake or abandon. But Jesus said this about money in Luke, chapter 12, verse 15:
“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’”
Sinful pursuits are deceiving. We believe that if we acquire our fill of power, drugs, sex, fame or money we will be satisfied; that our hearts will be content. But the Bible, as well as life, teaches us otherwise. A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions, yet, we pursue them nonetheless. We pursue them to our detriment. And like anything we choose to indulge in, with healthy moderation and with godly constraints, they can be permissive. They can even be good. Power can be good if it is used to serve. Drugs can be good if they are used to heal. Sex can be good if practiced within the confines of marriage. Fame can be good when it is encouraging to our self-esteem and doesn’t elevate itself to pride. And money can be good when it is something we use, not something we pursue. Jesus tells us to be on guard against all kinds of greed. I believe he says this because he knows the hearts of men, and he knows how we can allow things like greed to rule over us. So I would encourage you, as I encourage myself, to pursue those things that will last; to pursue what is good; to pursue what Jesus pursued, which is our God and the life that follows this one.
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In Luke, Jesus said that “a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions”. If not, then what does a man’s life consist of? Righteous pursuits are love, sacrifice, service, and selflessness to name a few. And when these righteous pursuits are chased through the filter of our faith in Christ, they are amplified and are able to garnish treasures in heaven; treasures that will last for eternity. Why would we want to pursue that which is temporal when we can pursue that which is eternal? The pursuits of the flesh are enticing. They are tempting and will ultimately lead to destruction because they are sinful. Jesus said: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Now that we have been warned, we need to pursue that which leads to life… life eternal.
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