What is the ONE Thing That Matters?

In the movie City-slickers, a bunch of men were out trying to find themselves on a dude ranch. The man who will be with them for their adventure is an old grizzled veteran named Curly who would rather spit on them than like them. But over time, he and one of the men bond and have mutual respect. The other man at one point was talking about the seeming meaninglessness of life. Curly looked at him and held up one finger saying, “Do you know what the secret of life is? This is.” He held up one finger. The other man asked, “Your finger?” Curly replied, “One thing, just one thing matters.” The other man wanted to know what it was. Curly told him he didn’t know, he’d have to find it out for himself.

In the sequel, Curly has since died, but has a twin brother, Duke, who takes them out again. They are looking for gold that Curly had supposedly hidden. Duke quotes from Curly to the same man Curley had talked to before, but with a small addition of his own. He says, “Only two things matter in life, GOLD, and whatever this is.” He said this while again holding up one finger. With baited breath the other man wants to find out what the one thing was. Duke looked at him and said, “Heck if I know, Curley never said.”

Many of us have felt like that man, wandering in life seeking meaning. Many people think they know what some of the most important things are. They are different depending on the people: money, wealth, power, popularity, fun and entertainment, wisdom, and a host of other things fill people’s lives. Yet, the one most important thing constantly eludes them. What is the most important thing? According to the Ecclesiastes writer who had ALL of the things that many people seek after and came up empty, this is what matters.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.

Jesus agreed with him. Matthew 22:37-39 (37) And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ 38 “This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 “The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’

Both of those are actually the same. You cannot love God without fearing Him and keeping His commandments. You cannot love God without loving others.

We are among the most blessed of people, forgiven of our sins and able to help bring others into relationship with God if we’ll love God and them enough to take the time. Have you taken the time to share the love of God with others and what will happen if they don’t come to Him. If not, let’s let them know about the ONE thing that matters.