John warns us of three motivations: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Everything we can find at the end of these pursuits will pass away with the world.
I recently saw a parable type of video about a man with four wives. This man loved his fourth wife the most, lavishing her with sumptuous meals, expensive clothing, and spa visits. He also loved his third wife, always showing her off to his friends. Though, he was afraid she would leave him for another man. He loved his second wife as well; she was always very considerate and patient. She was his confidant, helping him out through difficult times. Now, the first wife was a very loyal partner; but the man did not love her. She helped maintain his wealth, business, and household. She loved him deeply, though he never took notice of her.
Having fallen ill, the man knew he would die soon, and knew he would then be alone. So, he asked his fourth, third, and second wives if they would follow him into death, so that he would not be alone. The fourth flatly said, “NO.” The third said, “No. I plan to marry someone else when you die.” The second said, “No. The most I can do is see you to your grave, but no more.” The brokenhearted man then heard the voice of his first wife: “I will go with you wherever you go.” The man told her that he should have been better to her and shown her more love than any of the others.
We all have these four wives. The fourth wife is our body. We feed it, clothe it, and make it look good. But it will not follow us into death. The third wife is our possessions, status, and wealth. Solomon said of his possessions: “I must leave it to the man who will come after me” (Eccl. 2:18). The second wife is our family and friends. Though they are close to us in life, we must face death alone. The first wife is our soul. We often neglect it in pursuit of material wealth and sensual pleasures. But, the soul is the only thing that will follow us in death. Therefore, we should cultivate it and strengthen it above the others.
William Barclay wrote an article entitled “The Life in Which There is No Future ,” which complements the ‘four wife’ parable perfectly. In it, Barclay examines 1 John 2:15-17: "15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."
John warns us of three motivations: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Everything we can find at the end of these pursuits will pass away with the world. Those things we grasp in pursuit of physical pleasure will not reach past the grave. The façade of prosperity will have no effect after our death. Status, name, and influence affect only the words above the grave.
The only reason it would ever make sense to focus our efforts on these is if there is no future. Paul says, “If the dead do not rise, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die’” (1 Cor. 15:32)! Let us cultivate, strengthen, and focus on the things in life that are eternal. Don’t live a life with no future.
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“4 Wives – Spiritual Growth Story” by Melik Duyar
Barclay, William. Daily Devotions with William Barclay. 2008. Pg. 245
-Cary Gillis D.Min. February 14, 2021
A Life With No Future
