Christ in Matthew 25 provides a description of the ultimate judgement that comes to those who are focused on “being” versus those who are focused on “winning.” Society imposes on us the belief that “winning” at life is the key to happiness and that happiness is the goal of living. Consequently, we spend much of our life striving for worldly success to find happiness. How does God see our striving to win at life?
His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
the Lord delights in those who fear [revere] him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalm 147:10-11
God’s pleasure is not in seeing us achieve success in winning as the world defines success. If you believe that God is pleased with you when you excel at worldly endeavors you are believing as the ancients did when they attributed wealth to God’s favor, and poverty to His displeasure with the individual. Instead, Christ tells us to “seek first His Kingdom and his righteousness” instead of being focused on worldly matters. Paul had this to say about this topic:
“... I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Phil. 4:11-13
Contrast the difference between “winning” and “being.” “Winning” in worldly matters usually means acquiring titles, wealth, power, material goods, recognition, etc. “Being” means letting the Spirit abide in us to produce fruit so that we are loving, patient, kind, generous, faithful, etc. You are not striving to have others see you that way, you just are those things because when the Spirit is in control these become your natural state. You so are naturally kind, for example, that it does not even register with you that when you helped feed the hungry you were lifting Christ’s spirits and building your house on rock instead of sand (Matt 25:37-40 and 7:24-27).
“Being” requires agency—putting to work the virtues that God imputes to you. Being generous, kind, patient, helpful, selfless, etc. are actions, not just personality traits, and I do not want to find excuses for not applying these fruits of the Spirit in my life.
