Priorities and Payoffs

You are here

Priorities and Payoffs

Login or Create an Account

With a UCG.org account you will be able to save items to read and study later!

Sign In | Sign Up

×

A misleading ad said: "Life is short; eat dessert first." Young people often try to cram so much partying into their lives that they never learn how to really live. The Bible warns against the attitude: "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!" (1 Corinthians 15:32 1 Corinthians 15:32If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantages it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
American King James Version×
; see also Matthew 24:37-51 Matthew 24:37-51 [37] But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. [38] For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, [39] And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. [40] Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. [41] Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. [42] Watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Lord does come. [43] But know this, that if the manager of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. [44] Therefore be you also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man comes. [45] Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? [46] Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he comes shall find so doing. [47] Truly I say to you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. [48] But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delays his coming; [49] And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; [50] The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looks not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, [51] And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
American King James Version×
). Sometimes the eating, drinking and merrymaking does kill a person!

Our Creator intended humans to enjoy life (Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 [7] Go your way, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God now accepts your works. [8] Let your garments be always white; and let your head lack no ointment. [9] Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of the life of your vanity, which he has given you under the sun, all the days of your vanity: for that is your portion in this life, and in your labor which you take under the sun. [10] Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, where you go.
American King James Version×
). He also gave us laws to live by for our good (Deuteronomy 6:24-25 Deuteronomy 6:24-25 [24] And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. [25] And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us.
American King James Version×
). If we plan, observe, learn and live with an eye to the consequences of our decisions, setting the right priorities in life, the life we live will be one of contentment, fulfillment and accomplishments.

Problems and troubles will always come, and so will death, but we can choose to live the time we have well or poorly. When our priorities are properly set, we can enjoy the dessert at the right moment, and really relish it.