Are You Spending Your Life or Investing It?

Are You Spending Your Life or Investing It?

I guess the proper response to that question might start with another question, “How do you define spending and investing? What’s the difference?”

The key difference between spending and investing is the expected future value and time horizon. Spending involves exchanging money (or time) for goods or services that are consumed immediately or lose value over time, offering short-term satisfaction. Investing conversely, involves allocating money (or time) into assets with the expectation of generating future returns building long-term wealth.

W.C. Fields was an American actor, whose career in show business began in vaudeville. He often played the role of a colorful, small-time con man. He once said, “I spent half my money on gambling, alcohol and wild women. The other half I just wasted.” His comment illustrates that there are clearly different perspectives on the subject.

As I thought about the question, I decided to take a big-picture view and look at it in the context of eternity. So as a Christ follower, who believes that our souls will spend eternity in either heaven or hell, I went to my Bible for some direction. I found that Romans 14:12 says, “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

I also found that 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

These words fit perfectly with the words of the Apostle Paul in Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive an inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

For me, I hope at the end of my life here on earth to not end up with a ledger of wasted opportunities. During the 1960s, the Beverly Hillbillies show aired for nine seasons and was one of the most-watched shows during that time. I don’t want to live my life like I picture Jed Clampett, the family patriarch, who after oil was found on his land had millions in the bank that could have brought countless opportunities and yet Jed seemed to wander aimlessly through life with his occasional refrain, “Well doggies”.

Chuck Swindoll, whose Insight for Living broadcast has been on the air for over 40 years. once said, “Do you realize there are only two eternal things on earth today? Only two: people’s souls and God’s Word. Everything else will ultimately be burned up—everything else. Kind of sets your priorities straight, doesn’t it? The stuff we place on the shelf, the things we put frames around, the trophies we dust and shine and love to display, the things we’re so proud of—it’s all headed for the final bonfire (2 Peter 3:7, 10-12). But not God’s Book!”

WOW, I can’t help but compare that to all the commercials I hear about investing in gold…the “gold standard”. They say that gold will stand the test of time —tough, uncertain times —so have gold in your portfolio.

I guess some of this has to do with whether you are near-sighted or far-sighted when it comes to how you use what God has allowed you to steward —spend or invest —while here on earth. Do you have a longterm or a short-term perspective…or no perspective?

Maybe this is worth considering. I found this investment advice in my Bible, “but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all the rest will be given to you.” The sounds like a good starting point!

Here’s another thought. It’s my favorite quote from one of my heroes, Jim Elliot, an American Christian missionary who was killed in Ecuador in 1956 while attempting to evangelize the indigenous Waodani (Auca) tribe. Jim Elliot said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose”.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything.” The problem with time, however, is that it does not stand still. Not for me. Not for you. Not for anyone. No matter what may be happening in life, good or bad, time continues to tick away, and not always at the pace we’d like. When I was younger it seemed as though the important years couldn’t come fast enough. As I’ve gotten older, however, it seems that the days, months, and even years are moving at record-breaking speed (like the dial on my electric meter in the heat of summer).

It’s been said, “You can’t add days to your life, but you can add life to your days.” I have found that true when out of gratitude and love, I choose to spend time investing in men’s souls and trying to glorify God. Let me be clear, however, from my point of view, what I just said — and doing churchy, religious activities are not always the same thing.

Here’s a closing thought regarding spending verses investing. At my age I’ve attended more than my share of funerals. Besides attending funerals for my friends and relatives, I attended many funerals with my mother, who lived to be 93 years old. My one brother and I used to joke that it seemed like mom was on the funeral circuit. It seemed like in the her final years she attended an average of a funeral a week—and my brother (mostly him) and I had to get her to the funeral home.

Based on my experience around funeral homes and my reading of the Bible, here’s my bottom-line thought on spending verses investing our lives –ie: time, money, resources and relationships. I think, the value of a life will ultimately be measured by how much of it was given away.

What do you think? Share your thoughts on the FATC FORUM about this or whatever is on your mind. And please contact me if you would like to talk about this subject. Remember…It isn’t just about the fly fishing.

John Muckerman

FATC Inspirational and Leadership Lead