The False Hope of the Transitory

by David Rollert

A particular young man made it his life’s goal to make more money than his father. Another young man made it his life’s goal to be the youngest CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Yet another young man made it his life’s goal to become so famous that his name was known throughout the world. Each one thought that when they reached their goal, they would be at the pinnacle of human existence - they would be satisfied and happy. However, each one was sorely disappointed. Money can be lost in an instant. Power can disappear overnight. Some new famous person will always rise and soon outshine the old. It truly is as the proverb states: “For riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations” (Prov 27:24 NASB).

Riches, power, and fame all promise “hope.” Riches promise the hope of enduring security regarding your physical needs. Power promises the hope of a well-stroked ego and pampered pride. Fame promises the hope of leaving a glamorous legacy to be forever remembered.

Each of those promises is, in fact, a lie. Since each of those will eventually fade, the hope they promise will also pass away. When the money is gone, the hope is gone. When the power and pride have faded, so does the hope. When the legacy is tainted, so is the hope. This is partly why so many previously rich, powerful, or famous people end up in deep depression. They put all their hope in transitory things that faded away.

So, if money, power, and fame cannot provide lasting hope, what can?

Peter tells us, “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13). True hope is found in Christ. In the salvation that He provides - in the love of God! This passage directly states that we must fix our hope completely on Christ and the grace He brings. We can’t split our hope between Him and earthly things. We must fix our hope completely on Him.

Does this mean that we must never seek good jobs, promotions, or renown? No, that is not what this means. These can be good if used for God’s glory, but they must always be secondary to seeking Christ. We must not fix our hope on them. The hope that we have in Christ will endure through the end. Even at our death, our hope in Christ does not end. That is because it is not based on this life, but on the one to come.

So, don’t fix your hope on earthly things. Instead, “prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”