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Fleeting but not fading

Fleeting but not fading

By Scott Adams DBA

It was the late John Maynard Keynes who famously observed that our lives are fleeting when he stated, "we are all dead in the long run."

It was a wry commentary that I believe is the other side of Jesus' command in Matthew 6:19 to not store up for ourselves treasure on earth where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. As believers, our faith informs us that this world is not all there is.

To say that our treasures on earth have been depleted is an understatement. In 2008, the stock market endured its worst performance since the 1930s - as the diminished value of retirement plans, foundations and endowments bear witness. The value of housing fell dramatically, creating a situation in which a quarter of all homes have negative equity and foreclosures are at record highs.

In addition to the general financial malaise, the largest Ponzi scheme in history is believed to have taken place. This led to untold losses of earthly wealth, forcing the closure of charities and foundations whose money was fully invested with the perpetrators.

Governments around the world were turned to in an attempt to stop this with bailouts and stimulus packages, but to no avail. Today, much of the U.S. banking system is now government owned. The call for increased regulation has gone out. However, moths, rust and thieves still abound.

Keynes' observation that we are all dead in the long run may seem fatalistic to some. But from the view of the Creator, we are all dead in the short run. Psalm 39:5 says, "You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you." For those whose faith is in Christ, the problems of this world are short.

Given the fleeting nature of this world and our lives, our priority must be centered on those things God has called upon each of us to do. Historically at Taylor University, we have challenged our students to not only excel in the classroom, but also in their lives, relationships and in service of God. We are given but a short time on earth to do the will of the Father. God's command in Ecclesiastes 9:10, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might," is for each of us to be embraced anew.

Rather than spending our time engaged in pursuits that ultimately can be eaten by moths or gather rust, we are called to embrace and immerse ourselves in those things that have eternal value and ultimately bring glory to God. All the skills that a person has acquired can, and must, be used to the fullest because they are gifts from God. The goal scripture has set before us is not to simply acquire the world's wealth, but to use those God-given gifts to impact the world for Jesus Christ.

Compare two well-known historic figures - the millionaire William Vanderbilt and the preacher John Wesley. Vanderbilt, who had expanded his family's vast financial holdings and was successful in nearly everything he attempted, is reported to have said before his death, "I have had no real gratification or enjoyment of any sort more than my neighbor on the next block who is worth only half a million (dollars)." Ultimately, he had come to the realization that his vast fortune would now be left for others. It was not eternal, but corruptible.

During Wesley's lifetime, significant earthly treasure passed through his hands in the form of English pounds. He used those pounds to build orphanages and give to the poor in a variety of ways, as well as to print Bibles and many other books. At the time of his death, he was left with very little monetary wealth. He possessed four silver spoons; two in London and two in Bristol. He had six, one-pound notes that he instructed be given, one each, to his six pall-bearers. Finally, he had a small handful of books, including sermons and commentaries. But as his life was fleeting, he spoke the following words twice, "the best of all is, God is with us."

Yes, we are faced with perhaps the most dire economic situation our nation has faced in our lifetime. Yet, the God who called upon his people to do whatever they found at their hand has proved Himself faithful over and over. And, He is not hindered by Ponzi schemes, devalued real estate holdings ... or moths.

Scott Adams is the dean of the School of Business at Taylor University.