"But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away." 1 Cor. 7:29-31

How easy it is to so over-indulge in and over-emphasize the relationships, emotions and activities of life that our perspective is lost. Thus it is that Paul sent a warning to Corinth that we today need as well. We need to remember that there is more to life than....

Marriage. "Seriously, but not too seriously" should be our attitude toward marriage. Why? Our duties to our mate end at death, never to be resumed (Matt. 22:29-30), but our duties to God never end. While living I am accountable to Him and after death I must answer to Him (2 Cor. 5:10). For these reasons, the desires of a mate should never take precedence over duty to the Lord. The unbelieving or weak mate will be won by Godly behavior (1 Pet. 3:1-6), not by compromises in which God comes out in second place. "Love" that is willing to thus compromise is doomed to failure (Lk. 14:26).

Sorrow. Our Savior wept (Jo. 11:35) and David knew the agony of grief (2 Sam. 12:15-23). But David expressed his despair while there was hope for his child's life (vss. 16-17). When hope was gone and the child was dead, David's conduct changed (vs. 20) for he knew there was no useful purpose to be served by continuing to fast and weep (vss. 22-23).

Joy. We need doses (and sometimes large ones) of good fun and for the same reasons we need medicine (Prov. 12:22). But Solomon's conclusion was that there is more to life than having a good time (Ecc. 2:1-11). Wise use of time (Eph. 5:15-16) involves a balance between enjoying life (Ecc. 8:15) and rejoicing as did Paul (Phil. 1:3,18; 2:1,17; 3:1; 4:1,4,10). Give the emphasis to the later, for God will ask us about it (Ecc. 11:9-10).

Buying. We should have learned from the rich fool (Lk. 12:13-21) but we haven't We rush to make more, buy more, and have more, forgetting that our lives aren't made up of what we possess (vs. 15). Sadly, some do not learn this until death (vs. 20). Wives and husband, parents and children are virtual strangers who have never gotten to know one another because of unnecessary time spent in chasing a dollar.

Using the world. Opportunities abound for travel and recreation. But how sad it is that many local churches are deprived of leaders because many are "on the road again" and too busy to help. Use the world? Paul said "yes" but to use it to the full is to abuse the privilege.

Brethren, "the time is shortened...the fashion of this world passeth away." For these reasons, and for the sake of our souls, remember that there is more to life than what we often make of it.