Daily Devotional for January 23, 2021
Fame and Fortune
Someday you’re going to walk through this building and see my helmet and uniform number all over the place,” said Bryce with a grin as he and the other boys in his Sunday school class left the Football Hall of Fame.
Eric laughed loudly. “Fat chance!” he said.
“Just wait—you’ll see!” declared Bryce. “I’m going to be as well-known as the players whose stuff is in there now. Everybody will recognize me when I walk down the street, and I’m going to make a whole lot of money!”
“Sounds impressive,” said Mr. Buckwald, their teacher, “but don’t forget that fame and fortune can’t make you happy. The important thing is having a relationship with Jesus and being willing to do whatever He wants you to do. Whether you’re rich or poor, famous or unknown, the only way to have true joy is through Him.”
“Yeah,” said Eric. “That’s why I’m gonna be a missionary. They’re much more important than football players.” He sent a smirk in Bryce’s direction.
“Whoa, wait a minute!” said Mr. Buckwald. “Eric, if the Lord wants you to move to another country someday so you can tell the people there about Jesus, that will be wonderful. But if He wants Bryce to be a rich and famous football player with a testimony for Jesus, that will be great too.”
“It will?” Eric asked in surprise. He wasn’t sure that sounded right.
Mr. Buckwald nodded. “What I’m saying is that whether you become a football player, an engineer, a missionary, a nurse, an office worker, a school teacher—or whatever—be sure your main goal is to serve Jesus and show His love to others. He gives Christians different tasks and circumstances in life so we can reach people in different ways, but it’s all for the same purpose—to point people to Jesus so they can know Him as their Savior too.”
“So when we grow up, we can serve God in all kinds of different ways,” observed one of the other kids. “That’s cool.”
“Yes,” said Mr. Buckwald, “but don’t wait till you’re grown up to serve God. Honor and serve Him in all you do now too!” • Sherry L. Kuyt
How about you?
What ambitions do you have for the future? Ask God to show you His will. If He wants you to be a football player, be a good one—with Christ as your heart’s desire rather than popularity or money. If God calls you to be a missionary, be the very best missionary you can be. Whatever you do in the future, do it for His glory. But don’t wait till then to serve Him—start today!
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