Sermon Title: "Building Treasures That Last: The Vanity of Selfish Ambition and the Eternal Value of God’s Kingdom"
Text: Ecclesiastes 2:11, Matthew 6:19-21, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15
Introduction:
Dear friends, today I want to speak to you about something that is deeply relevant to every single one of us: the pursuit of meaning and purpose in life. We live in a world that constantly tells us to strive for success, to achieve greatness, to build a legacy, and to take pride in our accomplishments. But what if I told you that many of the things we work so hard for—our careers, our possessions, our status, and even our achievements—are ultimately meaningless? What if I told you that the things we often prioritize in life are like wood, hay, and straw, destined to perish, while the things that truly matter to God are like gold, silver, and precious stones, eternal and unshakable?
The Bible speaks clearly about this. In Ecclesiastes, King Solomon, the wisest and richest man of his time, reflected on his life and said, “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:11). Solomon had it all—wealth, power, fame, and wisdom—yet he concluded that it was all meaningless without God.
Today, I want to challenge you to examine your life. What are you building? Are you investing in things that will perish, or are you building treasures that will last for eternity? Let’s explore what it means to live a life of true value, a life that honors God and contributes to His eternal kingdom.
1. The Vanity of Human Achievements
We live in a world that celebrates success. From a young age, we are taught to work hard, to climb the ladder, and to achieve greatness. There’s nothing inherently wrong with working hard or achieving goals, but the problem arises when our pursuits become self-centered, driven by ego, pride, and selfish ambition.
Think about it: How many of the world’s greatest achievements are remembered after a generation or two? How many of the world’s most famous people are forgotten after they die? The truth is, no matter how great our accomplishments may seem, they are temporary. The wealth we accumulate, the titles we earn, the recognition we receive—all of it will fade away. As Solomon said, it is like “grasping for the wind.”
In 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, the Apostle Paul uses the analogy of building materials to describe our lives. He says that some people build with gold, silver, and precious stones, while others build with wood, hay, and straw. On the day of judgment, our works will be tested by fire. The wood, hay, and straw will burn up, but the gold, silver, and precious stones will endure. What are you building your life with? Are you investing in things that will burn up, or are you building something that will last for eternity?
2. The Pursuit of Selfish Ambition
One of the greatest pitfalls in life is the pursuit of selfish ambition. When we live for ourselves—for our own glory, our own comfort, and our own desires—we miss the bigger picture. We become like the rich fool in Jesus’ parable who stored up treasures for himself but was not rich toward God (Luke 12:16-21).
Selfish ambition is rooted in pride. It’s the belief that we are the center of the universe, that our desires and goals are the most important things in life. But the Bible warns us about this. James 3:16 says, “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” Selfish ambition leads to emptiness, frustration, and ultimately, destruction.
Think about the things you are striving for right now. Are they for your own glory, or are they for the glory of God? Are you seeking to build your own kingdom, or are you seeking to build God’s kingdom? The truth is, when we live for ourselves, we are building on a shaky foundation. But when we live for God, we are building on the solid rock of His eternal kingdom.
3. The Eternal Treasures of God’s Kingdom
So, what are the treasures that truly matter to God? What are the things that will last for eternity? The Bible gives us a clear answer. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
The treasures of God’s kingdom are not material possessions or worldly achievements. They are the things that have eternal value—things like faith, hope, love, righteousness, and the souls of people. When we invest in these things, we are building treasures that will last forever.
Let me give you some examples:
Faith: Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Faith is the foundation of our relationship with Him. When we trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are laying up treasure in heaven.
Love: 1 Corinthians 13:13 says that love is the greatest of all virtues. When we love God and love others, we are fulfilling the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:37-39). Love is eternal, and it reflects the very nature of God.
Righteousness: Proverbs 10:2 tells us that “righteousness delivers from death.” When we live righteous lives, we are storing up treasures in heaven. Righteousness is not about being perfect; it’s about living in obedience to God and seeking His will.
The Souls of People: The most valuable treasure in the world is the human soul. Jesus said, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26). When we share the gospel with others and lead them to Christ, we are investing in eternal treasures.
4. How to Build Treasures That Last
Now that we know what the eternal treasures are, how do we build them? How do we live a life that has true value and meaning? Let me give you three practical steps:
a. Surrender Your Life to Christ: The first step is to surrender your life to Jesus Christ. Without Him, we can do nothing of eternal value. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). When we surrender our lives to Christ, we are no longer living for ourselves; we are living for Him. Our goals, our desires, and our ambitions are aligned with His will.
b. Seek First the Kingdom of God: In Matthew 6:33, Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” When we prioritize God’s kingdom above everything else, we are building treasures that will last. This means seeking His will in every area of our lives—our relationships, our careers, our finances, and our time.
c. Invest in Eternal Things: Finally, we need to invest our time, talents, and resources in things that have eternal value. This could mean sharing the gospel with others, serving in your local church, giving to missions, or helping those in need. When we invest in eternal things, we are storing up treasures in heaven.
Conclusion:
Dear friends, life is short. The things we work so hard for in this world—our careers, our possessions, our achievements—are temporary. They are like wood, hay, and straw, destined to perish. But the treasures of God’s kingdom—faith, love, righteousness, and the souls of people—are eternal. They will last forever.
I want to challenge you today to examine your life. What are you building? Are you investing in things that will perish, or are you building treasures that will last for eternity? If you have never surrendered your life to Christ, I urge you to do so today. He is the only one who can give your life true meaning and purpose. And if you are already a follower of Christ, I encourage you to seek first His kingdom and invest in the things that truly matter.
Remember the words of Jesus: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Let us build treasures that will last, treasures that will bring glory to God and advance His eternal kingdom. Amen.
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