A Hundred Years From Now

Dark clouds over mountain landscape with beams of sunlight shining through.
 

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.

Matthew 6:19-21

I can recall hearing on multiple occasions the line, “It won’t matter a hundred years from now.” These words to the wise were an invitation to take the long view when facing disappointment or discouragement or loss.

But have you ever considered the fact that you can flip this maxim?

“It will matter a hundred years from now.”

These words are no less wise.

C.T. Studd

One individual who took that to heart was a man named C.T. Studd, an Englishman who lived from 1860-1931.  Studd, quite frankly, had it all. Born into a wealthy family, he inherited a fortune. Beyond that, he was arguably the greatest cricket player of his day, with all the fame that went with it.

In short, C.T. Studd had the world by the tail. And, as such, he was the envy of all England.

Then C.T. Studd had a dramatic conversion experience at age 24 and, with it, was confronted with the question, “What is all the fame and fortune worth when a man comes to face eternity?” The young man could not shake the conviction that accompanied that question.

As a result, the day came when, incredibly, Studd acted upon that conviction. He gave away his fortune and walked away from his fame and became a missionary to China. England was stunned and his decision became headline news.

When asked to defend it, C.T. Studd offered what has now become a famous line:     

“Only one life, ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Eternal Investments

We all know that death is inevitable. You’re going to face God soon.  And there’s no way I can exaggerate how overwhelming that will be.

But how often does that reality impact our thoughts, decisions, and actions in day-to-day life? For C.T. Studd, it did. He chose to lay up treasures not on earth, but in heaven.

It may not mean that you end up as a career missionary. But what about the other eternal investments that you make?

  • the persistent prayers that you offer

  • the sacrificial dollars that you give

  • the faithful ministry that you fulfill

  • the gracious responses that you make

  • the mentoring relationships that you create

Mark it well. These investments in the Kingdom will gain compound interest that will be realized for all eternity.

C. T. Studd took the long view. He lived in light of what would matter 100 years from now rather than what won’t matter100 years from now. And those who are wise will follow his lead.

“Only one life, ‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

– CT Studd

PRAYER

Lord, I have to confess that all too often I live laying up treasures here on earth rather than laying up treasures in heaven. Help me to remember the words of C.T. Studd and allow them to guide my thoughts, decisions, and actions.

 
 
 

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