First World Problems

Devotional

Day 1: Life Is a Vapor—Live with Eternal Perspective

Life is short and unpredictable, like a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes, so it is vital to live with an eternal perspective rather than being consumed by temporary concerns. The reality is that none of us knows what tomorrow will bring, and our time on earth is limited; therefore, we are called to use our days wisely, focusing not just on the “dash” between our birth and death, but on the eternity that follows. This perspective should shape our priorities, our investments, and the way we spend our time, urging us to make choices that echo in eternity rather than just in the here and now. [19:22]

James 4:14 (ESV)
"Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are living only for the “dash” and not for eternity? What practical step can you take today to shift your focus toward what will last forever?

Day 2: Blessed to Be a Blessing

We are incredibly blessed, especially compared to much of the world, and these blessings are not just for our own comfort but so that we can bless others in need. Recognizing the abundance we have—whether it’s clean water, food, or even something as simple as extra shoes—should move us to gratitude and generosity, using what we have to serve and uplift those who have less. When we acknowledge our blessings and act to share them, we reflect God’s heart and fulfill our calling to be conduits of His love and provision. [07:29]

Genesis 12:2 (ESV)
"And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing."

Reflection: Think of one specific way you can use your resources—time, money, or possessions—to bless someone in need this week. What will you do, and who will you bless?

Day 3: Get in the Game—Advance God’s Kingdom

Every believer is called to take action in advancing God’s kingdom, whether through serving, giving, praying, or supporting missions; doing nothing is not an option. Life is too short to sit on the sidelines, and everyone has a role to play, whether on the front lines or in support, to ensure that the gospel is shared and needs are met both locally and globally. The challenge is to step up, get involved, and do something—no matter how small—to make a difference for Christ and His kingdom. [18:39]

Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV)
"Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'"

Reflection: What is one concrete action you can take this week to serve, give, or pray in a way that advances God’s kingdom? How will you “get in the game” instead of sitting on the sidelines?

Day 4: Give and Serve in Response to Salvation

We do not give, serve, or support missions to earn our salvation, but as a grateful response to the salvation we have already received through Christ. Our generosity and acts of service are not about checking boxes or securing our place in heaven, but about expressing our love for God and others because of what He has done for us. This heart posture transforms giving and serving from obligation into joyful participation in God’s work. [22:39]

Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Reflection: In what ways have you been tempted to give or serve out of duty or guilt rather than gratitude? How can you intentionally shift your motivation to be a joyful response to God’s grace today?

Day 5: Support the Mission—Everyone Has a Part

Not everyone is called to be a frontline missionary, but everyone is called to support the mission of God, whether by going, giving, or sending. Even if you feel unequipped or unable to serve in certain ways, you can still play a vital role by supporting those who are on the front lines, ensuring that the work continues and the needs are met. The call is to step up, do your part, and recognize that supporting the mission is a shared responsibility for the whole church. [25:49]

Romans 10:13-15 (ESV)
"For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'"

Reflection: Who is one missionary or ministry you can support—through prayer, encouragement, or giving—this week? What specific step will you take to be part of God’s mission?

Sermon Summary

Today, we took a hard look at the difference between the “first world problems” we often complain about and the real, daily struggles faced by families in places like Guatemala. While we may get frustrated by a clogged sink or not having enough space for our shoes, there are people living in shacks with dirt floors, children sharing beds, and families drinking water that’s unsafe. Our team’s recent mission trip to Guatemala brought these realities into sharp focus. We saw firsthand how a simple water filter can change lives, how a pair of shoes can mean the world to a child, and how a meal costing just ten cents can be the difference between hunger and hope.

We are incredibly blessed in this nation, and with that blessing comes responsibility. It’s not enough to simply acknowledge our abundance; we are called to use it to bless others. The feeding centers in Guatemala don’t just provide food—they offer Bible stories, education, and the hope of the gospel. The work being done there is powerful, but it’s not just for those on the front lines. Each of us has a role to play, whether it’s going, giving, serving, or praying.

Time is the only currency we spend without knowing our balance. Life is short, and tomorrow is promised to no one. We are reminded in James 4:14 that our lives are like a vapor—here for a moment and then gone. The challenge is to live with an eternal perspective, not just for the “dash” between our birth and death, but for the arrow that points to eternity. What we do in this life echoes forever.

We may not all be called to serve in a third-world country, but we are all called to support those who do. Whether it’s through financial giving, prayer, or practical help, we can all “send bullets” to the front lines. Don’t be short-sighted. Don’t live just for retirement or comfort. Invest in what lasts. If you haven’t yet taken the first step of following Jesus, that’s where it all begins. For the rest of us, the call is clear: get in the game, do something to advance God’s kingdom, and live for what truly matters.

Key Takeaways

1. True gratitude is born from perspective. When we compare our daily inconveniences to the real hardships faced by others, our hearts are moved from complaint to thankfulness. This gratitude should not be passive, but should motivate us to action on behalf of those in need. [07:29]
2. Our resources are not just for our own comfort, but are entrusted to us so we can bless others. The abundance we enjoy is an opportunity to partner with God in meeting the needs of the world, whether that’s through providing clean water, shoes, or a simple meal. Generosity is a tangible expression of our faith and gratitude. [13:55]
3. Life is fleeting, and our time is limited. James 4:14 reminds us that our lives are like a vapor, here for a moment and then gone. Living with an eternal perspective means investing in what will last beyond our brief time on earth, rather than being consumed by temporary concerns. [19:22]
4. Each of us has a unique role in God’s mission. Not everyone is called to go to the front lines, but all are called to support the work—through giving, praying, serving, or encouraging. The metaphor of “sending bullets” reminds us that support roles are just as vital as those on the ground. [25:49]
5. Our response to God’s grace is not to earn salvation, but to live in gratitude and obedience. Giving, serving, and sacrificing are not ways to buy God’s favor, but are the natural outflow of a heart transformed by His love. The challenge is to step up, get involved, and let our lives echo in eternity. [22:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[05:01] - Story: The Clogged Sink and First World Problems
[07:29] - Counting Our Blessings
[08:02] - Life in Guatemala: Homes and Hardship
[09:51] - Water Filters and Clean Water
[11:48] - Shoes for Kids: Meeting Practical Needs
[12:42] - Shoe Storage vs. Shoe Scarcity
[13:15] - Feeding Centers: The Power of a Meal
[13:55] - The Cost of Living in Guatemala
[18:39] - Motivation: Get in the Game
[19:22] - Life is a Vapor: Living with Eternity in Mind
[20:24] - The Earth Suit Illustration
[21:38] - Living for Eternity, Not the Dash
[22:39] - Investing in What Lasts
[23:19] - The Treasure Principle Challenge
[24:16] - Supporting Missions: Our Role
[25:49] - Sending Bullets: Supporting the Front Lines
[26:28] - The First Step: Following Jesus
[26:54] - Closing and Final Thoughts

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

James 4:14 (ESV) — > "Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."

Observation Questions

According to James 4:14, how does the Bible describe the length and certainty of our lives?
What are some examples from the sermon of “first world problems” compared to the daily struggles faced by families in Guatemala? [[05:01]]
What practical needs did the mission team help meet in Guatemala, and how did these small acts make a difference? [[09:51]]
What does the sermon say is offered at the feeding centers in Guatemala besides just food? [[14:32]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the Bible compares our lives to a “vapor” or “mist”? What is the intended impact of this perspective? [[19:22]]
The sermon says, “We are blessed to be a blessing.” What does it mean to use our resources for others instead of just for ourselves? [[07:29]]
The speaker mentions that giving, serving, and sacrificing are not ways to earn salvation, but a response to God’s grace. Why is this distinction important? [[22:39]]
The metaphor of “sending bullets” is used for supporting those on the front lines of missions. What does this say about the value of support roles in God’s work? [[25:49]]

Application Questions

When you think about your own “first world problems,” how does it change your perspective to compare them with the real hardships faced by others? Is there a recent complaint you’ve had that now seems less important? [[06:53]]
The sermon challenges us to “get in the game” and do something to advance God’s kingdom. What is one practical step you could take this month—giving, serving, praying, or encouraging—to support missions or help those in need? [[18:39]]
The feeding centers in Guatemala provide not just food, but also Bible stories and hope. How can you be part of sharing hope and the gospel in your own community? [[14:32]]
The speaker says, “Time is the only currency you spend without knowing your balance.” How are you currently spending your time? Are there changes you want to make to invest more in things that last? [[19:22]]
Not everyone is called to go to another country, but everyone can support those who do. What does “sending bullets” look like for you personally? Is there a missionary, ministry, or cause you feel led to support more intentionally? [[25:49]]
The sermon talks about living for the “arrow” that points to eternity, not just the “dash” between birth and death. What is one way you can shift your focus from temporary concerns to eternal impact this week? [[21:38]]
If you haven’t yet taken the first step of following Jesus, what questions or hesitations do you have? For those who have, what does it look like for you to “step up, get involved, and let your life echo in eternity”? [[26:28]]

Sermon Clips

But it's true poverty, guys. It really is. It's heartbreaking when you really think about it. But we do what we can. One thing we built, we built an addition to a home. I say an addition. It was more like a shed, if you will. And one of the things we built, we built an addition to a shed. And one of the things we built, we built an addition It's like a kitchen. Are we putting in the sink? Are we changing the sinks out? There's no sinks, guys. There's literally a hose coming out of the ground. I'm not making it up. The water is filled with parasitic bacteria-infected water. That's just the way it is. [00:09:33] (34 seconds) #FacingTruePoverty

Here in the first world, problems is shoe storage, right? Shoe storage. We don't have enough room for our shoes. Whereas here, they got one pair of shoes. So just again, first world problems versus third world problems, right? [00:12:50] (15 seconds) #FirstWorldGratitude

Why am I saying that? Because guess what? If you're back there and you have like, I got $5, that's not much. Well, it may not be much to you, but I guarantee it's that. How many meals is that? meals. I guarantee it means a lot to those 50 kids who are eating, right? Again, just something to keep in mind, something to think about, okay? We truly are blessed in this nation. We really are. [00:13:43] (19 seconds) #SmallGiftsBigImpact

Any gladiator fans in here you know the movie gladiator I love that line guys what we do in this life echoes in eternity it is so true seriously very very true then we meet our maker prepare for that day guys do something to get in the kingdom to advance his kingdom get in the game do not be short-sighted. [00:22:05] (21 seconds) #PrepareToMeetGod

Guys aren't you glad that god did not ask all of us to be frontline missionaries in third world countries although he has not called all of us to serve with them go he has called all of us to support that's our job we're here in the states support them granted we still have our missions here don't get me wrong but I'm saying those in third world countries feeding those kids that's our job guys not theirs that's ours step up to the plate if you're not giving giving to missions okay that's my challenge to you. [00:23:55] (29 seconds) #ReadyToFollow

I love this battle metaphor maybe I can't pick up a rifle and maybe I can't fight alongside my frontline soldiers right on frontline maybe I can't do that at the very least everyone say very least you know what I can do send the bullets right I can send bullets I can support them on the front lines okay and just to be clear guys that's what we call a metaphor metaphor I don't need the fbi raiding my house later on saying did you ask the congregation to buy bullets and send them off is that right mr carden so metaphor guys metaphor all right go ahead next get in the game guys do something to advance his kingdom something give serve pray clean do something guys life's too short not to have an eternal perspective. [00:25:38] (48 seconds) #FirstStepToFaith

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