II Corinthians 4:18 "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
What makes more sense, investing in something temporary or investing in something permanent? You can spend money remodeling your home or developing a property, and you can expect a return on your investment. On the other hand, I've heard people talk about "investing" in an R.V. or fifth-wheel trailer. I can tell you from personal experience that a fifth-wheel is not an investment! It may serve your needs well, but a trailer never appreciates in value. Parts wear out and things break, and you never recoup the money you've put into it!
You may not aspire to own a "home on wheels," but just think about all the time and money we "invest" in things like food, clothes, and personal items. On top of that, they all go into maintaining our bodies which will not last! A pantry full of food will be empty in a heartbeat (ask a parent of a teen guy); clothes will wear out and go out of fashion; and toothpaste, soap, and deodorant are a daily need! None of these things are bad, but none of them will last.
What you and I have right now is like a tent--it is temporary. What we have awaiting us in heaven is like a building--it is eternal! Each day we ought to take aim at what is eternal. Most of us fret our lives away on what is urgent instead of what is important. There is a difference between living in light of the important and living in light of the urgent.
II Corinthians 4:18 says, "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." How do you look at things which are not seen? You "take aim" at them. You have an opportunity every day to take aim at eternal matters or focus solely on the here and now.
It is not wrong to have a job, a car, a house, or for your kids to play soccer, take tuba lessons, or any number of things; what is wrong is to be so caught up with keeping up with the neighbors or the latest trends that you forsake what is eternally important for what is only temporary. Investing in the eternal may require investing in temporary things, but that should never take the focus off of the ultimate goal. What are you aiming at this morning? Is your life busy with temporary things or eternal things? To focus on eternal things requires vision and wisdom that can only come from God. May it be true of my life and your life today that we are taking aim at eternal things.
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