Know What Counts—and What Doesn’t

by Rick Warren — September 24, 2019

“Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8 NLT).

Have you noticed how easily you can lose your joy over some little thing? It’s usually the small irritations that cause you to lose your happiness. Somebody cuts you off in the middle of the road when you’re trying to make a turn, and you lose your happiness. You’re having a bad hair day or the clothes you put on don’t fit anymore, and you lose your happiness. It’s the little things that sometimes affect us the most, yet they don’t really matter.

Paul says in Philippians 3:7, “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done” (NLT).

What was the most important thing to you before you began following Jesus Christ? Work? Career? Making money? Maybe it was getting a date. Maybe it was being popular. Maybe it was having security or being famous.

Paul says all those things don’t matter anymore compared to the joy of knowing Jesus.

You have to ask yourself about everything: How much will this matter in 100 years? How much of what I’m worrying about right now is going to matter tomorrow? It’s probably not going to matter tomorrow, much less for eternity. You can choose to live in light of eternity: “Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8 NLT).

Every day when you get up, remind yourself what counts—and what doesn’t.

Talk It Over

  • What small things have you been worrying about that have robbed your happiness?
  • What are some practical ways you can turn your focus to God and keep an eternal perspective?
  • What was the most important thing to you before you believed in Jesus Christ? How do you feel about it now?

Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.