Buying new homes is proving a viable alternative today for those who do not have the wherewithal to supervise building theirs. Yet there are basic questions every wise buyer will ask such as:

• What is it worth compared to what it is priced at, a nuance differentiating value from price,
• What is the neighbourhood like, value enhancing or destroying?
• How close is it to where you work?

Is it worth betting all your life (savings) on it? Our texts today complicate answering these questions for the earth-minded Christian. The Lord Jesus Christ stated that:

They do not belong to this world any more than I do…Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. John 17:16, 18 (NLT)

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” John 20:21 (NLT)

Would you then place all your bet or your life on a dwelling that is transient to your place of permanence? Have you considered that the certainty of the permanent home is predicated on the sacrifice of Christ; the reason for which those testimonies recorded in Hebrews 11:8-10, 24-26, and 32-39 ought to challenge the choice you make!

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. Hebrews 11:8-10 NLT

It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. Hebrews 11:24-26 NLT

How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death. Hebrews 11:32-35a NLT

But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us. Hebrews 11:35b-40 NLT

This is worth thinking about as you make your choice in the light of eternity. Where will you spend eternity? Selah


Pastor Afolabi Oladele