The Bible clearly contrasts short-term gratification with long-term gain: “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me…. for what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). Life requires choosing between the eternal and the temporary. Wealth, power, and fame endure only briefly, but the soul is eternal. Therefore, we should never trade spiritual well-being for material wealth; it is a losing proposition. A godly life requires personal sacrifice and commitment.
Jesus taught that a person’s life is defined by their relationship with God, not by materials possessions. Job said it best: “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return hither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1: 21). America, life is a Faith walk. In fact, the entirety of human interaction is a faith experience. For example, pushing the ignition button to start one’s car is an act of faith. Need I say more! Hence, fear and pride should not keep individuals from living by, talking by, walking by, and living by faith. America, life is a swift transition, an individual can be here today and gone the same day. For example, the rich Barn Builder is the classic fool-hearty example:
“The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: and he thought within himself, saying what shall I do, because I have no room to bestow my fruits. And he said this I will do: I will pull down my barns and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years, take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou has provided?” (Luke 12: 16-20). A Godly word of admonition to 21st century hoarders: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” (Luke 12: 15).
America, pursuing short-term gratification is dangerous because life demands godly commitment and self-sacrifice. The body dies and returns to the earth, but the divine spirit endures forever and faces God’s judgment, leading either to eternal glory or eternal damnation. A life centered on eating, drinking, and making merry is therefore spiritually perilous. These are perilous times because too many Americans have embraced an “eat, drink, and be merry” approach to communal life. Many of these same individuals reelected Donald J. Trump to the presidency, and now two-thirds of them regret that choice. But it is too late now: Godly foresight is far better than regret after the fact. As a result, President Trump and his MAGA-cult cabinet have literally destroyed the guardrails of multicultural democracy. What a shameful disgrace, because President Trump’s MAGA-cult officials are not only incompetent but ungodly. However, America do not fret over evildoers. Individuals reap what they sow, because “as it is appointed unto to men once to die: but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9: 27a).
