If you were to ask the question, "What's the most important thing in life?" I expect you would find a variety of answers. One might consider his family most important, another, his profession. Still another might value his wealth or position in society the most. To be sure, all of us have set priorities in life based upon what is most important to us.
Regardless of the answers others might give, Jesus said: "What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26). Whether you realize it or not, your soul is your most valuable possession. It is priceless --worth more than all the money in the world. For when every penny upon the earth has long been burned up and exists no more, your soul shall be on the threshold of eternity.
For this reason, Paul said, "I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:8). Paul had a great deal to give up -- position, family, wealth. But he was willing to give up all earthly things to know Jesus, for only in Him could he find all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3). Therein is the key: the realization that the physical things of this life are only temporary, and only that which is spiritual is eternal.
God is Spirit (John 4:24). That part of man created in the image of God is also spirit, and, like God, eternal. One of the great teachings throughout the Bible is that man will spend eternity somewhere, either with God in heaven, or separated from God in eternal destruction. Since "the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Peter 3:10), it's logical that we should turn our attention from the temporary (physical) to the eternal (spiritual). In essence, Jesus is saying: "The most important thing in our life should be going to heaven."
While this concept is easily understood, it's application is difficult. We live in a physical world and God has blessed us with so much in this life that he expects us to enjoy. But we must be careful to recognize that our treasure is not to be laid up on this earth, but in heaven (Matthew 6:19). And so Paul says don't "have your hopes set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy."
It's evident the most important thing in Paul's life was going to heaven. What's most important to you?
~In Gospel Power, Anderson, Alabama, 10/12/97.