Are you fighting for the correct prize?

Sometimes we get caught up in focusing on things like work, stuff, surviving, life, money, and the list is endless.  It seems that if we try to control anything the list begins.  I was reading a passage the other day written by Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7-8:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8(NIV)

During Paul’s life he kept his focus on whatever he was aiming at.  His faith seemed to consume his life and he did it with passion.  He knew that by keeping that focus, he would receive his crown of righteousness.  Paul kept the focus on the right things. It seemed that no matter what he had to endure, he would not stop running the race of life.  Paul showed us that if we focus on the right things we will be able to handle the race with endurance.  My pastor always says, “If you want to know where your heart is, look at your check book.”  Where do you put all of your money?  Where do you put all of your time, actions, and effort?  When you do something, do you do it for yourself or for God?  Do you want to be able to endure the race?  How do you manage this?

What do you think?