KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE: Why would a well-educated, clever-minded person capable of having only the best-paying jobs choose to suffer beatings, prison, hunger, poverty, and even worst?
We have been looking at how to manage the money and resources God has given us successfully. We have determined that successfully managing money and possessions involves getting our priorities straight. In setting our priorities, we must put God first in everything we do and value people and relationships with others over money and possessions.
Like everything else, when it comes to living eternally, we must have faith and trust in God for our eternal salvation.
Though we are not saved by the good that we do, yet from examining the Bible, we find that as faithful managers of His resources, God expects us to do good.
Thus, we have been looking at what God has in store for the faithful manager of his resources.
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Asking God for Help
Father, when Jesus came to this world, he gave up his dominion and power to live with us humans. Like Him, give us a heart of love and willingness to serve rather than the desire always to want to be served. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Because of his education and clever mind, Paul, from a materialistic perspective, could have had a highly prosperous life.
But like Moses, Paul chose to suffer for the sake of Christ.
Thus, according to 2 Corinthians 11:24-33, Paul went through it all. He suffered beatings, stoning, prison, shipwreck, hunger, cold, and much more.
Yet he was able to endure. How did he do it?
Paul in Romans 8:16–18 lets us know what gave him his motivation:
Romans 8:16-18
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:16-18)
Paul was motivated by the prize God promised to those who believed in Him.
It is this reward that kept Paul excited about serving God.
That’s why Paul, when in Prison, could write in Philippians 3:13-14:
13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13, 14).
Paul was able to endure all his sufferings because he kept his eye on the prize.
He, in 1 Timothy 6:6–12, offers guidance on how we can keep our eyes on the prize.
6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (I Timothy 6:6-12)
Paul is saying in I Timothy that we should learn to be happy with what we have. Biblically speaking, prosperity is not having an accumulation of wealth. It is having what we need when we need it.
We are encouraged to claim the promise Paul mentions in Philippians 4:
19
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19).
From a spiritual perspective, prosperity also involves being thankful to God for what he has given you and trusting in him for all things.
No, God doesn’t promise us that we all will be rich in this world’s goods or have a lot of possession.
As a matter of fact, 2 Timothy 3:12 says: 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)
So, If we live godly lives, we can expect to suffer persecution. We, therefore, must keep our eyes on the Prize!
You see, what God offers us is far better than this world’s wealth. He promises to give us everything we need. And He promises to be with us wherever we go.
In the end, God will give the faithful managers of his resources the riches from heaven and everlasting life.
Now that’s a prize worth waiting for!
Because he kept his eyes on the prize, when nearing the end of his life, Paul had the faith to say in 2 Timothy 4:6-8
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6–8).
Thus, as Paul was about to die, he had the assurance that he had his prize waiting for him when he wakes up at Jesus’ second coming.
May we keep our eye on the prize! Let us, through the power of God, have the same assurance Paul had as he was approaching death.
Hebron Seventh-day Adventist Church
7902 Wheatly Street
Houston, TX 77088
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