Our reading today is Matthew 16:26
“What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?”
Picture a small child sitting alone in a room. He is staring at a single marshmallow. The researcher’s instructions echo in small ears: “Wait fifteen minutes, and you’ll get two.” Simple choice. Immediate pleasure or delayed reward.
That 1970s Stanford experiment revealed something profound about human nature. Some children grabbed the marshmallow immediately. Others waited, squirmed, covered their eyes, but held out for the greater prize. The results followed them for decades.
Jesus presents us with the ultimate marshmallow test. The world spreads its buffet before us—success, wealth, recognition, comfort. All yours, right now. Just reach out and take it. But heaven whispers, “Wait. There’s something infinitely better coming.”
The tragedy isn’t in enjoying good things. God created pleasure, beauty, and abundance. The tragedy is trading the eternal and the priceless for the temporary. What earthly treasure could possibly equal the value of your soul?
Every day we face this choice. Will we grab what glitters now, or trust God’s promise of something far greater? The Son of Man will return, and His accounting will be perfect.
The marshmallow test continues. The question remains: Can you wait for heaven’s reward?
I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.