Why do Christians in America not long for Christ's return the way the Apostle Paul did?
American believers often do not intensely long for Christ's return because life in America is comfortable and enjoyable, while the Apostle Paul suffered sickness and increasing persecution. He saw being absent from the body and present with the Lord as far better, though what awaits believers is far better still.
Les explains that in America people have it so good and enjoy life to such a full extent that they really don't hanker for this like the Apostle did. He contrasts Haitian Christians, whose only hope is that the Lord would come because they will never get out of their poverty any other way. Paul, by contrast, was suffering; he had sickness nigh unto death, and persecution was increasing. So he could say it is far better to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. Even so, Les says we should long for it, because what is up there is far, far better than even the good life we have. He also notes Ephesians 1:9, where we labor that whether present or absent we may be accepted of Him—not for salvation, but as pleasing Him as a child of God.