What Will It Matter 100 Years from Now?

Matthew 19:16-22 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Have you ever put forth effort into a project that you later had to tear down? Or made an investment that ended up costing you or your family dearly? While it is easy to discount this foolish rich man, I would argue that each of us are more like him than we would like to admit.

I can recall several instances in my life where I was putting time and effort into something that was either worthless (at best) or harmful to others (at worst). It is so easy to get distracted and begin to put time and effort into something that is meaningless.

When we find ourselves becoming emotionally and/or financially invested in an endeavor, we should ask ourselves, “What will this matter 100 years from now?” You see, 100 years from now either Jesus will have returned or all who are reading these words will have passed on from this life and we will be in the life that follows. In 100 years from now the only thing that will matter in this life are those things that brought us or others closer to God.

Can you imagine what this rich man is thinking now? He met Christ in person, and was given a choice… his possessions or the creator of heaven and earth. He chose his possessions. We, daily, live with a similar choice…. Live a life for myself, or life for Christ.

On the 3 days of the Tour, we, collectively will be focused on a work that will matter 100 years from now. We will be raising money for a camp that connects young people to Jesus. It is very likely that a child will attend camp for the first time this year. They will hear about Jesus and that seed will begin to grow. They may come back next year, and the next year, and the next, and into their teens. Like many campers in the past, they may meet their future husband/wife here, and have children of their own that come to the Flaming Pine Youth Camp. They will take this message of the love of God to their hometowns and spread the Word of God there. Your fundraising this year will likely have ripple effects in God’s Kingdom until Christ returns again. Your efforts to support the camp will matter 100 years from now!

The Tour not only builds up the campers, but it also provides many opportunities for you to build your own armor and that of others. I have heard stories of Christian brothers and sisters building each other up and encouraging one another as they bike on the trails. I have biked behind brothers who were praising God in song as they are biking along the roadways. I have witnessed the love of the Father as a support driver cares for a fallen rider. I have heard of others logging miles of prayer as they struggle along the path. During the Tour, you do not have to look hard for opportunities to lay up treasures in Heaven… they will be all around you.

I encourage you, brothers and sisters to invest your time and efforts into things that will matter 100 years from now. Put your efforts into those things that will result in “Well done, good and faithful servant”, and avoid being like this rich man.

In Him,

-Matt Robinson

Published 4/20/2022

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