Neglecting what is essential - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

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

Neglecting what is essential
Jesus told this parable to a crowd of people (Luke 12:16-21):

"The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully." We possibly know what material prosperity is and attribute it to our ability and diligence, forgetting, however, that it is also bound to God's goodness.

"He thought "What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops? I will do this; I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods." Instead of thanking God for His goodness he made plans to increase his business. His materialistic outlook made him forget what was essential.

"And I will say to my soul, You have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry." His life's sole object was to enjoy what his wealth produced for him. He thought he would live much longer, and forgot that the future lay outside his authority.

"But God said to him, Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?" Fool! That was God's assessment of him. His successful business life proved a failure. His foolishness hindered him from forming a vital relationship with God.

Jesus' conclusion was: "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." He invites us to turn to Him in order to "know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 13:13-23 · Revelation 3:1-6