God tells us that we need to learn wisdom from the follies of the worldly people. We are made to see how hard they take their worldly losses. For an earthly gain, men will labor and suffer so much, but their spiritual losses are so easily forgotten.
They are often interested in matters which have little or no value, and they negligently pass over matters which are important. Their entire attention is often absorbed by external affairs. Unless we fight to control our thoughts, we, too, will be enslaved by the passing events of the present moment.
God says, “How foolish are those who do not realize their miserable condition, making this passing earthly life the only object of their desires!” Some cling so to this life that, if they could remain here forever, they would not care at all for the Kingdom of God.
They would prefer to stay on earth even though they might have to strain and struggle for the bare necessities of this earthly existence. “How foolish and blind these people are!”
They lie buried so deep in earthly things that they enjoy only the pleasures of the senses. In a short while, they will come to the end of their earthly life. Then they will have bitter realization of the uselessness and nothingness of what they loved.
The best way, then, to look at and realize the quickly-passing value of earthly attractions, is to look at them in the past.
Where are the enjoyments of last year?
What became of the glory for which we struggled so hard five years ago?
What’s left of last summer’s pleasures? Gone! All finished and gone!
Do we want to go on living for that kind of happiness or do we want perfect, all-satisfying-never-ending happiness?
Only a fool would hesitate in answering this question.
They are often interested in matters which have little or no value, and they negligently pass over matters which are important. Their entire attention is often absorbed by external affairs. Unless we fight to control our thoughts, we, too, will be enslaved by the passing events of the present moment.
God says, “How foolish are those who do not realize their miserable condition, making this passing earthly life the only object of their desires!” Some cling so to this life that, if they could remain here forever, they would not care at all for the Kingdom of God.
They would prefer to stay on earth even though they might have to strain and struggle for the bare necessities of this earthly existence. “How foolish and blind these people are!”
They lie buried so deep in earthly things that they enjoy only the pleasures of the senses. In a short while, they will come to the end of their earthly life. Then they will have bitter realization of the uselessness and nothingness of what they loved.
The best way, then, to look at and realize the quickly-passing value of earthly attractions, is to look at them in the past.
Where are the enjoyments of last year?
What became of the glory for which we struggled so hard five years ago?
What’s left of last summer’s pleasures? Gone! All finished and gone!
Do we want to go on living for that kind of happiness or do we want perfect, all-satisfying-never-ending happiness?
Only a fool would hesitate in answering this question.
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