The Dangerous Distractions Of Future Gains

Issues – July/August 2022 – Grace & Truth Magazine

The Dangerous Distractions
of Future Gains

What would you do if you heard you were entitled to a soon-coming inheritance, a large sum from the estate? Generally, the first thing that goes through one’s mind is the question about how the windfall can be used. Most people probably consider paying off a debt, arranging home improvements, buying gifts, making investments, purchasing a frivolous desire or donating to a charity. Believers may think to give a percentage to servants of the Lord and His work.

Not long ago, an acquaintance whom we will call Joe Smith1 heard that a friend of many years had passed away and left directions in his will that a fair sum of money should go to Joe. He did exactly what most would expect in this situation: He dreamed of what he could do with the money! What surprised Joe, however, was how this expected gain consumed his thoughts! Unfortunately, his considerations generally focused on what he planned to do with the money – not what the Lord would have him do. Thankfully, before the funds were received, he got hold of himself and started committing his thoughts and the funds to the Lord. This whole process taught Joe something about himself: even before the money was his, it was very easy to allow earthly things to distract him from the needed dependence on and prayerful direction from the Lord!

All Are Susceptible
Are there others who need to learn this lesson? As belonging to Christ we need to set our affections on that which is eternal, not on things that are here today and gone tomorrow – especially not on those earthly things that are only anticipated. This is the thought expressed by the Lord: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself” (Mt. 6:33-34 KJV).

Furthermore, how many individuals dream of or plan on gaining possessions, or become occupied with future prospects without really inviting the Lord into those thoughts and plans? This very fact is also addressed by the teaching of James: “Go to now, ye that say, today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that” (4:13-15).

Being distracted by possible future possessions is a trap that starts very early in life. As little children the suspense of anticipated presents and the desire of “I hope I get …” can occupy little minds incessantly. This type of hope of an earthly gain follows us into adulthood and must be controlled. “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11). But we don’t always do that. Even as an adult Joe’s anticipated gift from his friend’s estate tested him. In the immediate prospect, he failed, being distracted by that possible windfall.

Gambling, including buying lottery tickets, presents another dangerous temptation where one would be distracted by anticipated easy money. Such activities, which believers should avoid, raise one’s hope of riches despite the tiny odds of winning. This worldly activity certainly distracts the heart away from heavenly things. Thoughts of winning and what to do with the prize money could easily become a central hope and regular subject of conversation. That’s the enslaving power of gambling – the pressing thought becomes: “What if I win?” Gambling’s addictive grip becomes a definite distraction from eternal things.

Biblical Encouragement
If we seek material goods, we should consider the words of Paul: “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6). Look, too, at what the Lord our God said to Abram after he had refused a real financial gain through the spoils of the kings he defeated in Genesis 14: “I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (15:1). These two verses remind the believer to look at our heavenly hope, recognizing that “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9). Why dream or reach out for material goods when the Scriptures teach that “the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Pet. 3:10). It is true that when this does happen believers will be long gone from this earthly dwelling – being with the Lord who loves them, but these verses prove that earthly goods are temporal, having no eternal value.2

From Joe’s initial reaction to a possible inheritance, he learned personally that materialism – the accumulation or desire for goods – is of the god of this age. Even if not worshiped outright, it certainly has a very tempting pull on the soul. It vied, or competed, for his attention and even his affection. Did the Lord Jesus not say that “no man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Mt. 6:24)? That is why Joe’s preoccupation with an expected monetary windfall startled him. He found that it was too easy for earthly things to distract him – even those anticipated – from keeping his eyes on the One who desires to be his only exceeding great reward.

Friendly Encouragement
May these thoughts remind both writer and reader that we need to strengthen our focus on the Lord. We should be attracted to and occupied with Him! Joe’s experience is recorded that it may encourage us to realize how earthly things, even the hope of some future material good, can test believers and distract us from that which is eternal. Let us be “looking unto Jesus” (Heb. 12:2).

ENDNOTES
1. Not his real name, but this experience, not uncommon to many, is recorded here with his permission.
2. Unless the funds or earthly goods were used for heavenly investments – “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Mt. 6:20).

By G. H. B.

The truth, as well as the experience of the people of God, proves not only that piety is gain but, when accompanied with contentment that trusts God, it is great gain. We brought nothing into the world, and whatever possessions we may acquire as we pass through the world, it is evident that we can carry nothing out. “Having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” (1 Tim. 6:8 NKJV). —Hamilton Smith, The First Epistle To Timothy (adapted)