Saddleback Church pastor and best-selling author Rick Warren urges Christians to always keep in mind that their life on “Earth is just a temporary assignment,” and to focus on the things that really matter.
Warren published a devotional Monday that focused on the Bible verse 2 Corinthians 4:18, as rendered by the Today’s English Version.
“For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever,” reads the verse.
The author of The Purpose Driven Life explained that “it’s important to remember that life on Earth is just a temporary assignment.”
“Knowing this truth should radically alter your values and fix your attention on the things that are eternally important,” wrote Warren.
“When life gets tough, when you’re overwhelmed with doubt, or when you wonder if living for Christ is worth the effort, remember that you are not home yet. At death you won’t leave home — you’ll go home.”
Critiquing the prosperity gospel, Warren also noted that “a fatal mistake to assume is that God’s goal for your life is material prosperity or popular success as the world defines it.”
“Paul was faithful, yet he ended up in prison. John the Baptist was faithful, but he was beheaded. Millions of faithful people have been martyred, have lost everything, or have come to the end of life with nothing to show for it,” continued Warren.
“The abundant life has nothing to do with material abundance. Faithfulness to God does not guarantee success in a career or even in ministry. Never focus on temporary crowns.”
Read more at Rick Warren Urges Christians to Remember: ‘Earth Is Just a Temporary Assignment’.
###