Today things are important in people’s lives. Depending on what one is interested in the things may vary. To a gamer it is the latest game. To a gun enthusiast, a better or bigger gun. Some must have the latest car, phone, computer, or the newest clothes. All these are simply things that for a day or week maybe a month or two make one feel good. Salesmen tell that all these things will give one a better life. One might feel special for a little while, but as the days pass the things become less dear and more mundane.
What really can help one have a better life? Could it be that one needs a better job, or more money? Perhaps new friends or the things previously mentioned? Society seeks the better life in these and other things. Now there is nothing wrong with a better job, making more money and having new friends, unless they are all for which one lives. A person needs to see what is truly important and should be held dear all one’s life.
Realize the value of the soul. In Matthew 18 Jesus tells of the shepherd that has a lost sheep and how he goes to retrieve the lamb.
Then He said, “Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish” (Mat 18:14). To God every soul is important. One too must realize importance of the soul. This must be taken personally.
One needs to comprehend the uncertainty of life. “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). Everyone must die. Life itself shows this fact. It matters not the great plans one lays for the future; death can come when it is least expected. Jesus spoke of one who forgot to have God in his life (Luke 12:16 – 21). In this text the one who was caught up in things was called a fool by God.
The apostle Paul wrote about a people who “gave” to God. “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God” (1 Cor. 8:5). These are the words the apostle Paul wrote about the Christians in Macedonia. As he was writing to the Romans he implored them to develop this attitude in their own lives. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1,2).
One needs to see that things are not so important, and that one’s soul should be what is held most dear. Preparing for eternal life will let one’s life will be better here for they will not hold this life quite so dear. Turn to God, study His word, and obey His word. Believe in Jesus as God’s Son, repent of sins, confess Jesus as God’s Son, be baptized for the remission of sins, then remain faithful to God. One can have a better life holding their soul as the most precious thing they treasure.