Whether one is surfing the internet, watching a television program, or riding down the road, one cannot miss the myriads of products being advertised. This is because we live in a very affluent culture in America unparalleled on the planet. We want things and there are those who have things to sale and compete for our hard earned dollars.
Capitalism is the culprit. It’s why human caravans travel great distances amid harsh conditions to enter America and not Venezuela. They are seeking the “American Dream,” a term used to describe the ideals of equality that afford everyone the opportunity to succeed and do well in providing for themselves and their families.
It has the potential to make people very materialistic and can skew our value system. It would be wise to ask ourselves what we value most from time to time just to keep things in perspective. That happened very recently.
Berkshire Hathaway had its 2019 annual shareholders meeting. The investment company’s CEO billionaire investor Warren Buffet was fielding some questions along with his longtime business partner Charlie Munger. Buffet was asked, what he valued most? That is an insightful question for one of the richest men in the world.
Buffet’s answer was equally trenchant, he replied, “The two things money cannot buy, time and love.” His business partner Munger nodded in agreement. Buffet is 88; Munger is 95. Though I am sure both of them probably have the best doctors, medical advice and care money can buy, time is running out for both of them, because neither can buy more time.
The Psalmist said it eloquently, “Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them,” Psalm 139:16. Father God, who knew us before we were born has given each of us a gift called life, and it has an expiration date. Life, that is measured in time, is more precious than gold, because we have a very limited amount of it.
Love is the other priceless intangible Buffet spoke of. God in His mercy and grace has shared His love with us by the sacrifice of His Son for our sins. Because of His great love He has provided a way for us to live with Him in a paradise that is timeless. Time can be spent, but it can’t be saved; it is going to run out. Time, as one of the richest men in the world has said, is priceless; the question is how will you spend it?
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