Yes, most certainly, and I count all things to be a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8 WEB
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul makes clear that knowledge of Jesus Christ and acceptance of Jesus as Savior matters more than anything else. Knowledge of Jesus Christ, serving the Lord, and reconciliation to God takes precedence over material possessions, relationships, careers, and worldly accomplishment.
In Matthew 13:44 Jesus teaches a parable saying, “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field. WEB” With this parable, Christ teaches that heaven is more valuable than all of our worldly possessions.
Godly things are infinitely more desirable and important than the temporary things of this world. Citizenship in the eternal kingdom of God is worth more than our degrees, social position, worldly praise, or anything else. Worldly wealth is not necessarily bad, but God comes first. As Jesus says concerning material objects in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. WEB” It’s a matter of priority.
God Will Supply Your Needs
With Jesus’ encouraging words, he promises the faithful that when we put God above all other things and seek his kingdom, we can count on him to provide for all of our needs. Paul affirms this statement in Philippians 4:19 writing, “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. WEB”
Putting material before God is a common mistake. When we cling to worldly things, and prioritize material over the material maker, we idolize the creation instead of worshiping the Creator. Mark 8:36 warns against this saying, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? KJV”
Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, makes known that all that mattered to him was Christ. In his assessment, worldly things were not only of less value, but when compared to the things of God, they were also garbage.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the clarity and truth of your word. I choose to put you first, above all else. Thank you for the knowledge of Jesus Christ and for salvation through the sacrifice he made on the cross. Help me to live according to your will. In Jesus’ name – Amen.”
Yesterday’s Devotional: I Will Not Boast
