Taking Stock

For the first time since World War II a presidential election is not the top daily news story. Instead, “It’s the economy, stupid.” We’re told that stock shock is sweeping world markets.

What to do? Should investors buy or sell? Neither--but hold it for just a minute before you jump to conclusions about my sanity as a market guru!

“Neither” is a good answer because the best thing to do right now is take stock. That’s right. Do an inventory. Take stock of what you have that’s genuinely valuable. And no, it’s not gold.

Do you have faith in God through Jesus Christ? Do you have family that cares for you? Do you have friends? If so, then you’re wealthy beyond measure. And that’s wealth no one can tax!

The real issue is this: “What do you treasure? What’s most important to you?” Because the answer to that determines how you invest your time. And time is one of the most important commodities you have. Once you spend it you can never reinvest it.

Many people are addicted to behaviors they end up regretting. Things like sports, shopping, video games and worse (drugs, gambling, or pornography). Such behaviors can steal your time.

My friend, Bob Collitt, once said, “Some men die in battle, some men die in flames; others perish inch by inch while playing silly games.” If only there was a way to get more out of life!

There is if you take a lesson from coupons. Have you heard that coupons are popular again? Due to the sour economy there are web sites and newsletters devoted to redeeming coupons. Some savvy shoppers claim they pay next to nothing on most shopping trips.

Now while redeeming coupons is smart, redeeming time is essential to a well-lived life.

How can you redeem time? The Bible tells us, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but wise, making the most of every opportunity.” God gives wisdom for life.

Until illness intervenes or old age approaches, most people give time little thought. Many assume they have an unlimited amount available. But the truth is the quite the opposite.

Some people hoard money and waste time. They spend their whole life squandering life’s greatest gift. And then they die full of regret.

Do you want to avoid a similar fate? Invest in things that matter most. Enduring things like faith, family and friends. Investigate and begin a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

When you think about it, very few things are eternal. You have an eternal soul. So do others. God is eternal. Yet many people ignore the eternal and focus on the temporary.

That’s why Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Another time he asked, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet lose his soul?”

If you invest in the stock market, sooner or later you hear, “You have to be in it for the long term.” That’s good advice for life also. The choices you make now have eternal consequences.

To live for things and trade your life for money is one of life’s greatest delusions. One day you will leave it all behind. And as you head into eternity empty-handed you will wonder if there might not have been a better way to invest your life.

When I worked in retail we took inventories so we knew what to keep and what to get rid of. Merchandise only makes a profit when it sells. Products that just sit there waste space.

So before your life ends--do an inventory. Take stock. Is something wasting space? Get rid of it and invest in eternal things. Oh, and don’t put it off. As Cricket sports star and missionary C.T. Studd said, “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!