What are you going to do with all the money? This is often the question asked of those who win large lottery winnings and of professional athletes who secure multi-million dollar playing contracts. The answers are varied, but the reality is that most lottery winners see their lives decline because of the instant wealth rather than improve. Yes, instant wealth can buy you every material need and want. It can satisfy, for a time, guilty pleasures. But in the long run, most lottery winners end up squandering their winnings, and end up poorer than when they first began.

Professional athletes often face the same dilemma. A pro contract worth millions, in a sport that has a limited playing career, often leads to financial and other hardships. The American Bankruptcy Institute noted in an article that the average playing career across the NFL, MLB, and NBA is a short 4.6 years on average, and that over 15% of players file for bankruptcy within 12 years of retirement. The article goes on to say that 16% of NHL players and 78% of NFL players face serious financial hardships after retirement. (Hart, Daniel: How athletes go bankrupt at an alarming rate. ABI. (n.d.). https://www.abi.org/feed-item/how-athletes-go-bankrupt-at-an-alarming-rate).

So, what do lotteries and professional athletes have to do with priceless treasures? Most lottery winners and professional athletes see an almost immediate increase in lifestyle, purchasing power, and short-term gratification that is fleeting, at best. However, while most of us are not addicted to playing the lotteries, nor are we professional athletes, we do have a treasure— a priceless treasure, more valuable than any lottery prize or pro-sports contract — We have the Gospel!

The Apostle Paul writes, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2 Cor. 4:7). The thing about jars of clay is that they often leak, and the treasure—which is ours to steward, not to own— shines on others in Gospel witness that bring many to Jesus. This priceless treasure is ours to steward. It is bestowed on us in glorious forgiveness, cleansing, and salvation – and it is for us to share with others so that they may experience a new and abundant life in Jesus.

In last month’s blog, I wrote about contentment in thoughts and actions, and I said, “Envy often leads to malicious activity. Envy can be seen as intellect, and malice as the activity borne from that envy.” In the same way, a generous heart with the treasure of the Gospel will be evidenced by generous service to others in sharing the message of the Gospel.

It’s easy to look at those who have great earthly wealth and wish for the same, even justify it by thinking we would do great things for God if only we had that kind of wealth. The truth is, we have something much more valuable, something of priceless worth that has been entrusted to us to utilize to bless others.

In our world of consumerism and materialism, it is easy to get caught up in thinking the grass is always greener on the other side, and wishing for what we don't have. But as it is often said, the grass is greener where you water it! Let us take this treasure in jars of clay and use it, spreading the Gospel message as much as we can!

The Apostle Paul finishes chapter 4 of 2 Corinthians with these words, “As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18).

Let us keep our eyes not on the riches of this world but on the priceless treasure of the Gospel entrusted to us!

Bill Allan,

AGC President

A Legacy of Blessing: Stewards of a Priceless Treasure