By Steven D. Minor
It is said that Moses chose “rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin…for he was looking to the reward” (Hebrews 11:25-26). Moses could have lived a hedonistic life of sin, but instead he refused it because he had his eyes set on his goal––Heaven! How many good families today will miss out on Heaven because they choose to do the opposite of what Moses did? Are we families who are laying up treasures on earth or in Heaven? In other words, are we spending our time, money, energy, and affections on earthly pursuits, pleasures, or possessions, or are we investing in spiritual matters?
Remember these two things. First, the pleasures of sin are fleeting. It will not last. Sin never fulfills its promises. It comes and goes. Sin is so disappointing in the end. It leaves you high and dry. Sin brings bondage. Paul said, “But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin…” (Romans 6:17). The pleasures of sin will turn a family into slaves. Slaves become the possession of the one in charge, that is, the master. Has the world become our master? Have we given our hearts over to idols of pleasure? Is every weekend full of something new to do or buy? If so, the fleeting pleasures of sin may have a grip on your family.
Second, let your reward of Heaven be your motivation for living a righteous life. An executive “head-hunter” once told this story, “When I get an executive that I’m trying to hire for someone else, I like to disarm him… I offer him a soft drink, take my coat off, then my vest, undo my tie, throw up my feet and talk about baseball, football, family, whatever, until he’s all relaxed. Then, when I think I’ve got him relaxed, I lean over, look him square in the eye, and say, ‘What’s your purpose in life?’ It’s amazing how top executives fall apart at that question. Well, I was interviewing this fellow the other day, had him all disarmed, with my feet up on his desk, talking about football. Then I leaned up and said, ‘What’s your purpose in life, Bob?’ And he said, without blinking an eye, ‘To go to Heaven and take as many people with me as I can.’ For the first time in my career I was speechless” (source unknown).
Our purpose here on earth is to go to Heaven and take as many with us as possible! Paul said, “For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). This thought should be in our conversations and prayers every day! Heaven is so worth it! God is there! Jesus is there! Your faithful brothers and sisters in Christ will be there! Your Christian grandparents will be there! Are you leading your family there?
