“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
— Jesus.
“Alas, what we do in life echoes in eternity!”
—Maximus, from the film Gladiator
When Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy (Kevin Costner) finds himself in a three-way tie on the final day of the US Open, he’s faced with a shot to the 18th green that he’s repeatedly dunked in the water hazard all week.
When he decides to go for it and lands it in the hazard again, everyone expects him to take a drop, save par, and force a playoff. Rather than drop, he turns to his caddy and friend Romeo (Cheech Marin) for another golf ball—for Roy, executing the shot matters more than winning.
Romeo reluctantly hands the ball to him. Roy then goes on to hit that ball in the drink, followed by three more. It’s a catastrophe in real time, and everyone is a witness to it—pure insanity. Finally, down to the last ball in his bag, he signals Romeo to give it to him, risking disqualification and his entire career. Roy then drops the ball in the fairway, steps up, and takes his final swing.
One thing that is true about this life is that actions lead to results. And results are always realized, sooner or later. The scripture explains this principle as reaping and s0wing (Galatians 6:7). And each of us, minute-by -minute, day-by-day, are reaping and sowing as we make choices.
The man without faith in God reaps and sows with only the short term in mind. Eternal considerations are not part of his calculation. He believes that all is now and nothing more. His choices are judged by what is expected and acceptable during his brief existence in history. He is “secular”—of this world— rather than spiritual. His motto: “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” YOLO.
In contrast, Jesus claims to stand outside of space and time and know the eternal implications of each man’s decisions. Jesus says that right now counts forever and that we live not once but twice. There is this life and then the life to come.
The point of conflict between Jesus’s and secular man’s views of time is a long-range consideration. These considerations are influenced by two completely different value systems—the culture of man and the Kingdom of God (John 18:36).
Jesus says both will yield an eternal result. The first perishable and the latter everlasting. Even more, each value system captures a man’s heart and directs his destiny in this life and into the next.
Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy’s final shot from the fairway covered the hazard, hit the green, and rolled in the hole for a twelve. Upon seeing this, the gallery exploded in celebration! In a strange twist, Roy lost the tournament but won the people’s hearts!
He then walked the fairway to the green, picked up his ball from the hole, and threw it into the water hazard. As if to say there are more important things in this life than winning.
Jesus’ words always force action—treasure on earth or in heaven? Perishable or imperishable? This life or the next? For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Ironically, when we value the next life more, Jesus throws in the good life here and now.
This life is your final swing. Will you lay up or go for it? Where is your treasure? Where is your heart? Your decision. Your result.
Prayer: Lord, with your help and wisdom, may I play the long game.