We tend to focus on things that must be done. We make lists, we share them; heck, we even name them (e.g. “honey do list”). We are industrious when motivated, which historically has been the source of much so-called progress. Look at America, for example. We have made great strides in both technology and communications over the past few decades. As a result, we get a lot more done in a day; arguably, more than ever.
But how good are we at focusing on the other stuff? In our quest to get more done in less time, have we become neglectful in any way? This is a good question, one that demands we take pause. After all, there’s no such thing as true multitasking, only time-slicing (even computers don’t really multitask, if you get right down to it, they just execute multiple threaded processes together so fast it appears seamless). The best we can hope to do is devise a prioritization scheme to ensure we don’t neglect the really important tasks at hand (e.g., food, sleep, caring for others under our charge). But what happens when everything is labeled a “priority” in your life?
I believe decision-making has become very difficult these days. Why? I’d argue the biggest reason is lifestyle maintenance and the prioritization of things which achieve that goal. Americans are used to a certain standard of living but are increasingly feeling the effects of globalization (wealth is shifting away from America). Making decisions when prosperity is nigh guaranteed is a relatively easy task (more like, “How shall I spend my wealth today?”). Even the so-called “poor” in America are doing relatively well on a global scale. Americans suffer skewed perspectives. Resetting them is painful and requires a shift in decision-making (more like, “What are my real priorities?”).
The issue is that once a person enjoys wealth, it is difficult to retract from it. People don’t want to make the hard decisions to change their lifestyles. Isn’t that what Jesus proposed to the rich young ruler?
And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.”
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.
Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.
Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
-Luke 18:18-25
What if I were to say that if you are reading this blog, given you are on a technological device, you are wealthier than billions of people? In 2021, the United Nations estimated that over one-third of the world had never used the Internet. Put that into perspective. Ninety-six percent of that group live in developing countries, so you can’t write it off as just old people who refuse to learn new tricks.
Given the above facts, let’s suppose most Americans can relate to the rich young ruler in the story. What are the implications when you’re faced with the decision to preserve your lifestyle (or improve it) as a priority? Do you spend less and less time with your family, your friends, your church in order to maintain or achieve what the rich young ruler apparently refused to give up?
Prioritization implies sacrifice. The things we least treasure are sacrificed first. We lay down our lives for the things we treasure the most.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
-Matthew 6:21-24
If you’re reading this blog, chances are you are wealthy, by world standards. What are you afraid of losing as globalization sets in? What are you willing to sacrifice as a result? Why are you anxious?
And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy.
Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy.
Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
-Luke 12:22-34
Here’s the point of this blog…
If you’re not careful, and your priorities in life shift towards the preservation of worldly wealth, you may just begin neglecting things that, by God’s standards, are much more valuable and deserving of your attention. Take your family, for example. As you’re chasing the “American dream”, are you neglecting the raising of your kids? What about your church family? How are they doing lately? Are you too preoccupied with yourself and your lifestyle to even know? When’s the last time you reached out and asked, instead of just speculating for the sake of convenience and accommodation to your personal interests?
Where does Jesus fit into your schedule? Have you neglected Him while focusing on other things, other distractions, other priorities in your life? If you just said, “No”, then why has His Spirit, God the Holy Spirit, commissioned this blog? Why has He seen fit for you to read it this day? Do you think this is by accident or meant only for someone else? Think again, my friend. You are reading this because God wanted you to – it’s that simple.
Now, you have a real decision to make, don’t you? Do you prioritize what the Spirit’s saying to you here and now, or do you write it off with an excuse (the one you’ve used a hundred times, if not once). Will you say, “Oh, I must get going before I’m late for work or for my doctor’s appointment or my promised lunch with a friend”? There will always be an excuse if we “need” one, yes?
Be careful neglect doesn’t sneak up on you! While you’re busy with other priorities, you might just be leaving the most important ones behind.
Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
-Proverbs 21:20-21
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
-Matthew 6:33-34
Love in Christ,
Ed Collins
