“Divided Interests”
I Corinthians 7:17-20, 29-34, {17} Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. {18} Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. {19} Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. {20} Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. {29} What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; {30} those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; {31} those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. {32} I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. {33} But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— {34} and his interests are divided.