3/29/2022 – What does it mean to win?
The annual NCAA Division 1 Basketball Tournament or “March Madness” began a few weeks ago. Sixty-eight women’s and 68 men’s collegiate teams will play 134 games in 21 days. By the time we reach Monday night, April 4th we will have crowned the 2022 NCAA Women’s and Men’s Basketball National Champions.
There will be upsets… There will be the “thrill of victory” and “the agony of defeat”… We will definitely see “teamwork” on display, because there is no way for one person to win the championship by himself or herself! There will be amazing dunks, phenomenal three pointers and almost definitely game winning buzzer beaters… There is always the potential for surprises and maybe this could be the year for a ”Cinderella” team to win the whole thing!
In sports, unlike in many other aspects of life, determining a winner is easy – you just look at the score board. But what about the rest of life… What does it mean to win? How do live in such a way that at the end of our lives we will look back and be pleased with the result?
We all have a desire to create a life in which we “win” but that can be defined in many different ways. I would propose that to win in life is not really defined by our checkbook balance. We’ve all heard the phrases “He who dies with the most toys wins” and “Win at any cost” but I’m not convinced that either one of those is a good way to build a winning life… I’m reminded of Jesus who laid down His life at the cross that we could be forgiven of our sin and adopted into God’s family. He cared so much for you and for me that He was willing to “lose” in the eyes of the world to “win” the world back to God!
The Bible teaches us “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’m reminded that Jesus wants our hearts to be like His and to value the things that He values. We can determine what is in our hearts by looking at what comes out of it – where do we put our time, effort/energy and our finances?
In the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, it doesn’t matter whether the servant was responsible for little or for much, it mattered what he did with it. Likewise, we will be responsible for wisely handling all that the Lord gives us whether “little” or “much” in the eyes of the world. I want to live in such a way that at the end of my life I will hear the Lord say “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21) I would definitely consider that a win.
One of the things we do here at Faith Investment Services is help people to align their financial goals with their values. We offer Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI) for those who desire it– it’s our goal to help you invest your money to get positive moral outcomes with competitive results. There is a whole section on our website to help you learn more about BRI if you don’t already know about it.
Be sure to check out https://www.myfaithinvestments.com/p/biblically-responsible-investing.
Just like the NCAA basketball championship will be won by a team – not an individual person, it is helpful to have a team to build a financial plan that will work for you. We work with people of all ages and financial situations and would love to be part of your “dream team”! Give us a call and let’s start the conversation!!