As one of the slower songs on Nu Thang, “Things of This World” serves as a reminder to Christians to turn away from materialism and instead focus on Christ. With Toby contributing his typical rap verses, this song allows Kevin Max to lead the choruses rather than share them with Michael Tait, who in...
[Verse 1: TobyMac]
70 years is all we got
To accumulate goods that seem to mean a lot
For the first 20 years, you're off to school
Learnin' principles and learnin' the tools
To make lots of money, the ultimate goal
Gain the whole world and yet lose ya soul, huh
Humanism is on a roll
20 gets the the knowledge, 30 years to apply
And just 20 years left for askin' why
I didn't realize what it was all about
And was there any use in this rigorous route? Because…
[Chorus: Kevin Max]
Things of this world are passin' away
Here tomorrow but they're sure not here to stay
Things of this world are passin' away
So lay your treasure above and start to live for Him today
[Verse 2: TobyMac]
All done for self in this world will pass
And all done for Christ in this world will last
Sounds like a simple task
But everyday life seems to get in the way
No time to serve, barely time to pray
Our focal points lost and we get tossed
In the wind, cold facin' the cost
Of fallin' without stallin' or even callin' the Lord
While you were blackballin'
He was waitin' for you to see the light
And find for yourself, these things are trite
[Chorus: Kevin Max]
Things of this world are passin' away
Here tomorrow, but they're sure not here to stay
Things of this world are passin' away
So lay your treasure above and start to live for Him today
[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 3: TobyMac]
Our mind transforms a want to a need
A simple process that we call greed
Ya say ya like to have money, well, I do too
The problem starts when the money has you
Workin' overtime to keep up with the pace
A lifestyle that you want to embrace
But it's two steps from where your needs are met
You're keepin' up with the Jones but you're all in debt
Which'll lead to stress, not meetin' the bills
While ya sportin' a Benz with all the thrills
The domino effect's gotcha life in check
A temporary stitch and ya livin' a wreck
[Chorus: Kevin Max]
Things of this world are passin' away
Here tomorrow but they're sure not here to stay
Things of this world are passin' away
So lay your treasure above and start to live for Him today
[Chorus: Kevin Max & Michael Tait]
Things of this world are passin' away
Don't lay up your treasures upon this Earth
Here tomorrow but they're sure not here to stay
They'll soon pass away and all return to dirt
Things of this world are passin' away
Don't lay up your treasures upon this Earth
So lay your treasure above and start to live for Him today
They'll soon pass away and all return to dirt
[Chorus: Kevin Max & Michael Tait]
Things of this world are passin' away
Don't lay up your treasures upon this Earth
Here tomorrow but they're sure not here to stay
They'll soon pass away and all return to dirt
Things of this world, the things of this world
Don't lay up your treasures upon this Earth
The things, the things, the things of this world
They'll soon pass away and all return to dirt
[Outro: Michael Tait]
Don't lay up your treasures upon this Earth
They'll soon pass away and all return to dirt
Don't lay up your treasures upon this Earth
They'll soon pass away and all return to dirt
Don't lay up your treasures upon this Earth
They'll soon pass away…
Things of This World was written by TobyMac.
Things of This World was produced by Mark Heimermann & Tommy Cathey & TobyMac.
DC Talk released Things of This World on Tue Oct 16 1990.
“Things of This World” was performed live during the group’s 1994 Free at Last Tour and eventually made its way to the unfinished albeit released Free at Last documentary.