Spend vs. Save

There's a question that seems like it belongs on a holiday blog. Should you spend or save? I'm not talking about money, although that is the way we normally think about it. I was just thinking about the philosophy behind these two ideas. Do I go for the satisfaction now, or later. Delayed gratification is a tough concept and a tough sell. We want to be happy now with the things that make us happy now. BUT God promises delayed gratification. The trick is, like an investment, if you invest wisely you get more back than you put in. Spend your money now and you have spent it. Invest, and later you have even more than you started with. Life in Christ is like that but a lot of people don't get that. They want it all now, and do not think about what they will have later, which often times is nothing. I often times see people who think I am missing out by embracing the struggles, boundaries, and challenges of the Christian life. They think that I am a fool and that they are happier their way. Sometimes they are right. At this moment, they may have more happiness than I sometimes have, but I have the security of joy, that I am saving up an inheritance. I will have so much to look forward to! I can't wait. Some of them, I shudder to think of what their "retirement" from earth will look like. Invest in joy today. Jesus embraced the cross, although it was awful, "for the joy set before Him." Don't waste your life by spending everything now. For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. (2 Timothy 1:12)