Set Your Eyes Upon It

By Pamela Rose Williams

Proverbs 23:5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Have you ever wanted something so bad for so long and then when you finally got it you were somewhat disappointed? This has happened to me. I thought about this particular car that I wanted. Before I wanted the car I almost never saw another like it. Then when the thought of having that car was constantly on my mind, I saw similar ones all over the roadways. I “set my eyes upon” that car and for some time it was not within my reach. I not only set my eyes upon it, I believe it qualified as something that I coveted.

And then it happened, that day when I was able to get that car. Oh! It was so pretty and new. I drove it to and from my workplace every day. But you know what? It was not long before I realized that this car, about which I spent so much time dreaming, and in which I spent so much time sitting – this car was terribly uncomfortable! So, then I started thinking about a time when I might get a car that was more comfortable. I was ready to get rid of that “old” car.

When I read today’s verse I thought of that car because I remembered how I “set my eyes upon it”. And then after I got it, it was not long before I was ready to see it go. Easy come, easy go. That is exactly what happens with our treasures (riches) here on earth. They are only temporary and in light of eternity, they make themselves wings and then we have them no more.

I was also reminded of something Jesus said. We should not lay up treasures on earth because they don’t last long, but instead our treasure should be in heaven because heavenly things are not temporary (Matthew 6:19-24). Now this is not to say that we cannot enjoy the fruit of our labor, but when we spend more time and resource on earthly “things” than we do on the work of the Lord our priorities are out of order.

As Christ-followers the main “riches” that we should set our eyes upon are other people who need to hear the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ — we need to spend time sharing the greatest news we have ever learned. There is no greater gift, no greater treasure than the gift of grace. Have you told anyone about your Savior today? Selah