Beautiful Word Devotional #206

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.

Philippians 3:8

Why was Paul talking about garbage? Because he wanted to make an important point. He was saying here that everything he’d had prior to Christ—his prestige, his fame within his religious sphere, his theological knowledge, his political influence, his respected status as a Roman citizen—meant nothing to him in comparison to knowing Jesus Christ.

When we don’t keep a keen focus on Jesus, we may begin to value the garbage more than we value the Savior. When we forget that Jesus is the greatest treasure we can pursue and we instead pursue things, wealth, power, prestige, and fame, we do so at the expense of our soul. The only One who will truly fulfill us is Jesus Christ.

May you live with Jesus as your most treasured relationship. May you revel in him, not in stuff or acclaim, and therefore be deeply satisfied and content.

Lord, you are my treasure. Help me recognize when I’m chasing garbage instead of you, amen.