Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. (2 Timothy 4:10, NIV)
I do not know of anyone who is serving God who wants Demas’s choice to be a part of their legacy. Who wants it said of them that they so loved this world that they abandoned their opportunities to live a life that will echo into eternity? Exchanging a life of eternal value for one that is perishing is not a good exchange at all.
But that is exactly what happened to Demas. As a companion in the service of Paul, Demas was living a life that would echo into eternity. But the allure of the world deceived him. James 4:4 tells us, “Do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever decides to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy.” We need to be very careful when it comes to our relationship with the world.
This does not mean we cannot be in the world and serve effectively for the Lord. God’s people are spread throughout the entire world, joyously doing his work. It is a matter of our attitude toward God and toward the things of this world. Which one are we going to serve?
This world has a powerful allure that can deceive us. We do not want the giants of greed and consumerism to rob us of our opportunities to invest our time, talent, and treasure into things of eternal value.
Each day is a new opportunity for us to find ways to serve the King. This world is not permanent. Only those things pursued with eternity in mind will last forever.
Today, ask yourself:
What am I doing with my time, talent, and treasure that reflects my commitment to serve the King?
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