What Are You Pursuing?

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. – 1 Timothy 6:11 (NKJV)

We are in a world that is all about success, the newest, the biggest and focuses on self – I, me and mine! And with that emphasis, we look at how we can earn more and accumulate more.

However, this desire to have more is flesh driven, motivated by the devil, to keep us chasing after things that can’t satisfy. Human nature constantly craves for more and sadly Christians are not immunised against this craving.

“And He (Jesus) said to them, Guard yourselves and keep free from all covetousness (the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more); for a man’s life does not consist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance or that which is over and above his needs.” Luke12:15 (AMPC)

Paul in 1 Timothy 6 is encouraging believers to be content and reminds us that we brought nothing into the world and would not be able to take anything out when we leave. Paul goes on to say, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” Verse 9 (ESV)

Jesus desires us – his followers – to be different and it’s not that we shouldn’t own or acquire possessions, we are in this world after all. But it shouldn’t be our main focus to just acquire things. We need to hold everything we own loosely and be willing to surrender it to God if He demands it of us. Most of all, He has given it all to us to be a blessing to others.

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV)

Paul is urging us to pursue God’s heart – righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. And fight the good fight of the faith, not pursuing the things of this world which will pass away with time.

When we pursue God’s heart, that is the Kingdom of God and as Jesus promised, everything else will be added. We don’t need to pursue the worldly things. After all, He will give us what we need anyway because He is a faithful God. Abraham left his family and homeland in obedience to God and God blessed him greatly. “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2 (ESV)

He is blessing us to be a blessing to others and not just for our own self-indulgence. So, are you pursuing God’s heart? Or are you pursuing the next big thing of this world?

Stay blessed,

LaraLex