Turn on the television and see where the heart of human kind dwells—the material world. We are wrapped up in sports, fashion, Hollywood entertainment, HGTV, etc. In Genesis 13:10 it says, "And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the Garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar." Even as Lot’s eyes were cast toward Sodom, our eyes are drawn to this world and everything it has to offer. On the surface it looks so inviting, until it has our essence firmly in its grip.

Daily we see what desire for this world creates. It leads to another sports figure dragged to jail because of taking bribes, or athletes relinquishing Olympic Gold Medals due to drugs; starlets carelessly losing their children because of drinking, drugs, and riotous living; people being dispossessed of their homes because of taking on to much debt; and families being torn apart because of adultery. I’m sure that when people begin their downward spiral, they do not think these events will have such a bitter end. Even as Lot did not see the end of the decision he made to go to Sodom, we as a people forget to think of the end result of our poor choices.

In Ephesians 2:10 Paul states, "We are God’s workmanship created in Christ for good works"—works that lead to an eternal end. Look back at Lot who was enticed by Sodom—he saw the beauty of the area—"…that it was well watered like the Garden of the Lord…" He had his heart on material things—how to make sure his flocks would be watered and fed so they would increase. He was drawn to the city of Sodom and all it had to offer—entertainment, intellectual pursuits, sports events—quite the different life from the solitary, nomad life of Abraham, his uncle. We know in the story of Lot that all he had was destroyed—even as our life will be destroyed by loving this world more than God. Are we not lured by the same things as Lot? The author states in Hebrews 12:1 "…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." This verse says that sin ensnares us. Sin is all around us and easily attracts us. God allows us to make choices every day regarding our behavior. Are we often more easily drawn to the ways of the world than we are toward the ways of God? Is it easier to be drawn to the bar where there is drinking, loud music, and an illusion of happiness or to spend time with people who will encourage us to do righteousness and assist us to build a relationship with God? Rather, should we choose another path which is eternal? Even as Paul said in Philippians 3:8, "Yet indeed I count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ." Let us pray that God would help us see our eternal purpose in this life.

Jesus himself states in Matthew 6:19,"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on the earth where moth and rust destroy." We see through the example of Lot and those infamous individuals of this world that having your treasures in this life comes to an unprofitable end. It destroys everything in its path--relationships, wealth, and health. We need our treasures to be in heaven. That can only happen by having our hearts pulled away from this world. God says in Matthew 22:37, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." This is how we put God first in our hearts. Only you and I know the truth in our own lives. Are we going to be like Lot or like Abraham and Paul? Choose God, and you choose eternal life.