If I Got Jesus I Got It All

"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." - Philippians 1:21

What do you consider success in this life? What is your brass ring that always seems to be just out of reach. That carrot that keeps you moving forward. Oh, you know the right spiritual answer I am certain, but what does your heart say - what does your life shout out? Certainly, we must eat, have a place to lay our heads, care for our family. Be good stewards of the things of this world. But why? It was God who put man's hand to the plow. It was man who sinned against God and interrupted God's intent for him to walk alongside Him in the Garden. Instead, man was banished from the Garden. And so every day, we find our way to our field, thinking that that is where we will find fulfillment and contentment. 

Generally one of the first things that guys ask each other is "What do you do?" The implication is that a man does for a living defines what kind of man he is. Where he stands in the pecking order of manhood. What if the answer to the question was "I serve God with my whole heart, soul and strength. I work in a factory to feed my family."

Paul was a tent maker, but he was not known for his ability to make tents. He was known for his faith and devotion to God. 

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. - Colossians 3:23-24

God has a plan and purpose for each of His children. What you do for a living - given that it is legal - does not really matter to God as much as it does to men. Whatever you do - do it to the glory of God.

I recall attending my 20th High School reunion - the only one I attended. At the time I was a major in the Army, a helicopter pilot. I had just finished a year's study at the Army Command and General Staff College and was attending Kansas State University in the Engineering Graduate Program to earn my Masters Degree in engineering. I didn't tell anyone at the reunion what I did in the Army. I didn't tell them because I knew that most if not all of the people I would talk to that night could relate to my life or exploits. Martie, my wife, asked me to get her a soda. When I came back the people in the group knew all about me. Martie had squealed on me! One of the guys in the group started making excuses for why he was only working at the Caterpillar Tractor plant. My grandfather and dad both retired from Caterpillar. I guess in his mind - compared to me, he was a failure. So I asked him if he was taking care of his family. He said "Yes". Then I told him that he should be proud of what he was doing - and more importantly he was being a good husband and good father. My point is that we should be more impressed by character and not career. The Apostle Paul brought this into perspective in his letter to the Church in Philippi. 

If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;  concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him - Philippians 3:4-9

Be careful that you don't use the culture's measures of success in this life. If you've got Jesus, you've got it all. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone