“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”
Matthew 16:26
Recently I heard the story about a group of African tribal hunters and what they use to catch monkeys. It is said that these hunters know that monkeys love rice, oranges and bananas. So to attract and catch a monkey, the hunters will get a coconut, bore a small hole into the coconut (just big enough for a monkey to get his hand inside), and then fill half the coconut with warm rice, tie the coconut to a tree and hide a short distance away.The monkey soon smells the rice and is drawn to the coconut. He reaches inside the coconut to grab a handful of rice. However once his hand is full and made into a fist, the monkey cannot pull his hand out of the coconut. Only if he lets go of the rice will he be able to remove his hand from the coconut. But the monkey is to greedy, too lured, too intoxicated and attracted to the prospect of rice for lunch, that he will not let go of the rice. He stands there stuck. He bangs the coconut, but to no avail. Even as the hunter approaches, the monkey will not let go of the rice-filled coconut that is tied to the tree. The monkey's greed, his desire to "have it all" leads to his ultimate capture and eventual destruction.Jesus reminds us, “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”Matthew 16:26Don’t fall prey to the lure and deception of the enemy (Satan). Do not be deceived. “Buy this. Take this. Do this. Wear this. Look like this. Act like this. Date this. Marry this. Drive this. Live like this.” Because no amount of gain in the world, and it’s pleasures, will bring true biblical joy and contentment. The cares of the world, the deceit of riches, and the lust of other things can cost your very own soul for eternity (Mark 4:19). Like the monkey, do not be fooled. Don’t be deceived.I remind and encourage you to lock eyes with Jesus and walk towards Him today. Surrender your will to His will.Love God! Love People! Live Sent!Be Worth Being,KevinSUBSCRIBE TO "OVER THE HUMP" DEVOTIONALKevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 40 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.
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