Choosing Faith Over Worldly Pleasures: Lessons from Moses’ Devotion

He loves Thee too little who loves anything together with Thee which he loves not for Thy sake. — St. Augustine

The Cost of Faith: Learning from Moses’ Devotion

Have you ever considered how challenging it must have been for Moses to walk away from a life of privilege and pleasure? By faith, he relinquished the luxuries of Egypt, drawn instead by the Lord’s calling—a calling rooted in mercy and eternal purpose.

The natural inclination of man is to pursue comfort, status, and personal gain. But when Christ renews our minds, our desires begin to shift. Our hearts are refined, and we are constrained by His love. Eventually, His precepts become our highest delight, and His will, our greatest desire.

The Transformative Power of Faith

One of the most beautiful aspects of faith is witnessing how divine passion overtakes individuals, compelling them to devote their lives to eternal purposes. When a heart burns for the Kingdom of God, hesitation disappears. Instead, fervent love produces both private prayer and the public manifestation of God’s power.

The life of Moses exemplifies this transformation:

“By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” — Hebrews 11:24-26 (ESV)

Answering the Call to Higher Devotion

How often does Christ call us to deeper devotion while the world pulls us in conflicting directions? We are summoned to a higher place—away from worldly distractions and into holier pleasures. We are invited to let go of fleeting ambitions and embrace treasures that never fade.

Will we yield to His gentle beckoning today?

Practical Ways to Pursue the Things Above

If we desire to set our hearts on what is eternal, we must take intentional steps in our daily lives. Here are some practical ways to pursue the things above:

Prioritize Time in God’s Word
- Meditate on Scripture daily to renew your mind and align your desires with His will.
- “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” — Colossians 3:2 (ESV)
Cultivate a Consistent Prayer Life
- Dedicate time each day to commune with God, seeking His guidance and strength.
- “Pray without ceasing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV)
Live with an Eternal Perspective
- Make decisions based on Kingdom impact rather than temporary gain.
- “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” — Matthew 6:19-20 (ESV)
Surround Yourself with Like-Minded Believers
- Fellowship with those who encourage and challenge you in your faith.
- “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together.” — Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
Serve Others Selflessly
- Use your gifts and resources to serve God and others.
- “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” — Colossians 3:23 (ESV)
Detach from Worldly Distractions
- Regularly evaluate and remove anything that hinders your walk with Christ.
- “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” — Romans 12:2 (ESV)

May God grant us the wisdom to recognize when human privilege competes with His divine will. May He give us the courage to step away from temporary pleasures and invest in matters of eternal significance.

Let us, like Moses, choose faith over fleeting treasures, fixing our eyes on the eternal reward that awaits.