Eternity Seems Like For- Ever....

"Money makes promises that only God can fulfill." -Chuck Mingo at Crossroads Church

"People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." -1 Tim. 6:9-10

In this verse The Message version of the Bible has "the lust of money" instead of "the love of money." One may ask why would any version write "the love of money"? Well, the language the Bible was originally written was greek and there are three different meanings for what the English language calls "love." When "the love of God" was written in greek, more than likely "the love of money" was used with a different "love."

I appreciate this verse from the message because I have come to understand the radical difference between love and lust in the past few years. "Lust" is about what someone gets today, it is a thrilling instant self-gratification. It takes no work, no commitment, and no change from puberty, otherwise known as "childish ways" (1 Cor. 13:11).

Love values our souls for eternity. "Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, It is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." -1 Cor. 13: 4-7 It takes commitment, forgiveness, and a relationship with God.

After comparing money with lust I thought of this "Lust makes promises that only love can fulfill." We shouldn't let the thrill of lust or the security of money be our drive. These two things are of "the world" and can kill our eternal soul. Jesus asked, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" -Matt. 8: 36. One day, we will both die (maybe not the same day...). But, it is guaranteed just as much as the day we were born was.

I would like God to be my number one relationship, influence, and hope while I spend time on this earth. Eternity will be spent with Him as my Father. Therefore, I should start relying on Him ASAP. It will take commitment, patience, trust, and change in myself. But, isn't that what love is? Love and God are for our eternal souls. Lust and Money are only for today.

I am just beginning to think that I can never give God enough. I only hope that the remainder of my days in this world are further testimony of what He has to offer.