Aug. 18, 2026: THE TELOS INVENTORY

BIG IDEA: It’s important to determine if our personal greater purpose actually matches up with God’s greater purpose for our lives.
 
Reading:
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Philippians 3:8
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”

Devotional:
The ancient Greeks used the word telos to describe the end goal or deepest purpose that drives a person’s life. Every human being has one.

The honest and uncomfortable truth is that most of us have a telos that sounds spiritual on Sunday morning but looks very different on a Tuesday afternoon.

Wealth, comfort, success, popularity, security — these are not evil things in themselves. But when they become the compass that directs our lives, they quietly replace God on the throne of our hearts.

Matthew 6:33 calls believers to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness above every other pursuit. Philippians 3:8 shows us Paul’s personal inventory. Compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, everything else was counted as loss.

Paul did not arrive at that conclusion casually. It cost him everything.

The invitation today is to take an honest inventory of what is truly driving you.

Reflection:
If someone followed you around for one full week and watched how you spent your time, energy, and money, what would they conclude your telos actually is?

Practical Application:
Make a simple list of the top five things you invested the most time and energy in over the past month. Honestly evaluate whether that list reflects God’s greater purpose or your own.

Song of the Day:
Phillips, Craig & Dean - Jesus, Only Jesus (Official Lyric Video)