Why do Christians get their priorities mixed up about earthly things?
Believers become so tied to this world and so blind to the glory awaiting them that earthly concerns eclipse eternal ones, causing priorities to become mixed up. Paul therefore urges running to win the prize—not salvation, which is already secured, but the reward that accompanies salvation.
Les explains that even believers are so tied to this world and so blind to the glory out there that they get their priorities all mixed up. Paul says to run to win the prize; not salvation, which they already have, but the reward that goes with salvation. Les notes this whole concept of working for reward has been on the minds of believers from day one. He illustrates from Genesis 15, where Abraham, already a believer, asks how he shall know that he shall inherit the land. God had promised Abraham a territory of land as a reward, showing that reward and inheritance were tied to God's promise.