The Payoff

Seek first [God’s] kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. — Matthew 6:33

In 1921, artist Sam Rodia began construction on his Watts Towers. Thirty-three years later, seventeen sculptures rose as high as thirty meters over Los Angeles. Musician Jerry Garcia was dismissive of Rodia’s lifework. “That’s the payoff,” said Garcia. “That thing that exists after you’re dead.” Then he said, “Wow, that’s not it for me.”

So what was the payoff for him? His bandmate Bob Weir summed up their philosophy: “In eternity, nothing will be remembered of you. So why not just have fun?”

A wealthy, wise man once tried to find the “payoff” by doing everything he possibly could. He wrote, “I said to myself, ‘Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good’ ” (Ecclesiastes 2:1). But he noted, “The wise, like the fool, will not be long remembered” (v. 16). He concluded, “The work that is done under the sun was grievous to me” (v. 17).

The life and message of Jesus radically counter such shortsighted living. Jesus came to give us “life to the full” (John 10:10) and taught us to live this life with the next one in view. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,” He said. “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20). Then He summed it up: “Seek first [God’s] kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (v. 33).

That’s the payoff—both under the sun and beyond. — Tim Gustafson

How do you want to be remembered? What does it mean to “store up treasures in heaven”?

Father God, please help me serve You joyfully with eternity in view.

abtest Recommended Loans, account transfers hindi isinama sa kita ni VP Sara – Adiong November 1, 2026 - 12:00am Nilinaw ni House pro­secution spokesperson at Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong na hindi ibi­nilang bilang personal na kita nina Vice President Sara Duterte at asawang si Atty. Mans Carpio ang kanilang...r Daily BreadBANK ‘Clark Airport, daungan ba ng lumang POGO?’ November 1, 2026 - 12:00am Ipinagbawal na ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos ang POGO industry sa bansa. Daily BreadTRENDING Kaligtasan ng mga biyahero sa Undas, pinatitiyak ni Tulfo October 31, 2026 - 12:00am Pinaalalahanan ni Senate Committee on Public Services Chairperson Sen. Raffy Tulfo ang mga kinauukulang ahensya ng pamahalaan na tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng mga biyahero ngayong paparating na Undas. Daily BreadTULFO Tax evasion vs VP Sara, nasilip ng prosecution October 30, 2026 - 12:00am Nasilip ng House prosecution panel ang posibleng tax evasion ni Vice President Sara Duterte matapos umanong madiskubre ang P111.85 milyong hindi pagtutugma sa pagitan ng kanyang idineklarang kita at mga depositong...r Daily BreadSARA DUTERTE Senado at Kamara, pinagkokomento ng SC sa impeachment threshold ni VP Sara October 30, 2026 - 12:00am Inatasan ng Korte Suprema ang Senado at Kamara na magsumite ng kanilang komento sa petisyong inihain nina Sen. Robin Padilla at Sen. Bong Go na kumukuwestiyon sa ruling ng impeachment court hinggil sa voting threshold...r Daily BreadSARA DUTERTE next Recommended Loans, account transfers hindi isinama sa kita ni VP Sara – Adiong Nilinaw ni House pro­secution spokesperson at Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong na hindi ibi­nilang bilang personal na kita nina Vice President Sara Duterte at asawang si Atty. Mans Carpio ang kanilang mga utang, time deposits, investments at paglilipat ng pera sa mga bank account. 23 hours ago BANK ‘Clark Airport, daungan ba ng lumang POGO?’ Ipinagbawal na ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos ang POGO industry sa bansa. 23 hours ago TRENDING Kaligtasan ng mga biyahero sa Undas, pinatitiyak ni Tulfo Pinaalalahanan ni Senate Committee on Public Services Chairperson Sen. Raffy Tulfo ang mga kinauukulang ahensya ng pamahalaan na tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng mga biyahero ngayong paparating na Undas. 1 day ago TULFO Tax evasion vs VP Sara, nasilip ng prosecution Nasilip ng House prosecution panel ang posibleng tax evasion ni Vice President Sara Duterte matapos umanong madiskubre ang P111.85 milyong hindi pagtutugma sa pagitan ng kanyang idineklarang kita at mga depositong pumasok sa bangko, batay sa mga dokumentong iniharap kaugnay ng nakabinbing impeachment trial sa Senado. 2 days ago SARA DUTERTE Senado at Kamara, pinagkokomento ng SC sa impeachment threshold ni VP Sara Inatasan ng Korte Suprema ang Senado at Kamara na magsumite ng kanilang komento sa petisyong inihain nina Sen. Robin Padilla at Sen. Bong Go na kumukuwestiyon sa ruling ng impeachment court hinggil sa voting threshold na kinakailangan upang mahatulan si Vice President Sara Duterte. 2 days ago SARA DUTERTE OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!