Walking with the Wise #450: Not Worth It

“Fret not yourself because of evildoers,

and be not envious of the wicked,


for the evil man has no future;

the lamp of the wicked will be put out."

—Proverbs 24:19-20

The temptation of every believer is to seek the world and all that it offers. In our world, we are assaulted at every turn and it is almost impossible to get away from it. Go to the gas station and there are TVs at the pump sharing the most recent gossip and celebrity lifestyles. Go to the men’s room in a restaurant, or get into a taxi and it’s the same thing. We can’t seem to get away, be quiet, and unplug. We are bombarded everywhere we go—and such a barrage takes its toll on our psyche. After a while, we begin to see what is presented before us, and we want it. Seeing the smiles of those living in sin, seemingly happy and carefree in their godless life make us stop, pause, and wonder if our sacrifice is worth the price we are paying.

Is Jesus worth our obedience? Is He worth so great a price? Absolutely. He is worth more than anything in this life that has been studied or explored. He fills us with more wonder than the millions of galaxies that inhabit this universe. He goes on past the farthest reaches of the universe, because He contains it within Himself. He is the first word spoken, the exact image of God, and the expression of God’s wisdom and attitude toward man. He is more costly than the precious minerals and resources of every planet put together. He is the highest thought, the loftiest ideal and the fulfillment of every dream. What this world offers will pass away. God is the only true absolute and constant.

We need not fret over those who live godless lives. Don’t be envious of them. They have no future compared to those who do the will of God (1 John 2:15-17). Their evil will stop, their wickedness will be called to account, and they will be judged according to what they have done. They do not deserve our envy, but our pity, love and prayers. They have substituted the Savior for that which is infinitely insignificant, they may have gained the whole world, but they mortgaged away their soul. Don’t waste your time in envying them; be satisfied with the Savior, who is the deepest satisfaction of our soul—both now and for eternity. Amen.