Scripture

So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things unseen. For the things we we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever

Observation

Paul is pressed on every side by troubles, but he is not crushed. He is knocked down, but not destroyed. The suffering of his body is a sharing in the death and the life of Jesus. He lives in the face of death, but he knows that this results in eternal life for others.

Paul continues to preach because he knows that as God’s grace reaches more people, God receives more glory. He never gives up gives up because these present troubles are small compared to the glory to come.

Application

Many people believe and act as if the material world is more important than the spiritual world. The Bible says the opposite is true.

The spirit world is more important because it is eternal, while the physical creation will eventually pass away.

Even if this were not true, it would still make more sense to invest ourselves in eternal values because that is where our home will be forever. Jesus told a parable about a rich man who died even while he was planning new store houses and ways to increase his financial wealth, but he had given no thought to eternity. God describes him as a fool. ( Luke 12:16-21)

Paul looked at the hardships he endured in this life as an investment in heaven. He rejoiced that God was being glorified as more people received the good news. His suffering was short and inconsequential compared to the joy and eternal life coming to himself and to his converts.

We must learn to see things from God’s perspective and to invest in what will last forever.

Prayer

Thank you Father for the privilege of eternal life with you. Please help me to invest with you in things that will yield an eternal reward. Amen.