THINGS THAT REALLY COUNT

By John R. Gibson

”Things that really count are the things that can’t be counted.”

Let’s look at some things that really count.

J            Salvation and the accompanying hope of heaven.

Any good accountant can figure your net worth in terms of dollars, but how much value should be placed on the forgiveness of sins? The beauty of heaven and the horrors of hell are such that Jesus asked, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). If all could realize how much this really counts, no one would hesitate to come in penitent obedience to the gospel. If we realized what a great treasure we possessed as Christians (Matthew 13:44-46), we would witness a fresh outbreak of zeal among God’s people unlike anything seen within our lifetimes.

J            Family.

Marriage and family are gifts God ordained for the good of mankind in the very beginning (Genesis 1:27, 28; 2:18-24), but many people devote themselves so completely to the pursuit of things to give their family that they actually have no time for the family. We must all be careful that in providing for our families (which must be done—Timothy 5:8), we not neglect that which counts most. Whether it is your relationship with your spouse or your children, time spent together counts for far more than the time spent building wealth.

J            Friends

It is easy to allow our minds to so dwell on the failures of those around us that we forget to appreciate the many acts of kindness done for us by friends who truly show love “at all times” (Proverbs 17:17). Two really are better than one (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12), so let’s remember to value the support of our friends and resolve to be to others the kind of friend we would appreciate having for ourselves.

J            Brethren.

It is a sad, but indisputable fact that not all Christians behave in a way worthy of the name they wear. Some are simply weak and beset with human frailties; others are half-hearted; and still others are hypocrites who may turn on you and do you great harm. Sadly, it was that way in the first century and continues that way in the twenty-first, but then as now the failures are only part of the story. The other side of the coin is that there are brethren who willingly give of themselves to help others. There are Christians who inspire us with their determined dedication to be present at every service despite physical ailments that seem debilitating. Should we not appreciate the brethren who use their abilities to lead us in worship and praise of God? What of those who make repairs and perform other maintenance on the meeting house, clean the building, prepare the Lord’s Supper and do all the other things that must be done for us to come together and worship God? Our brothers and sisters in Christ are not perfect, but would we rather go at it alone?

Salvation and family are two of God’s great gifts we most often neglect in the pursuit of things we can count and perhaps even display as trophies, while friends and brethren are two gifts we may fail to appreciate because of a limited view, but are they not also things of great value? Let’s take a few moments to meditate on the value of each of these and then stop and thank the Lord above for His bountiful blessings and promise Him that we will never take them for granted again.