It’s Just Pavement
A little over two years ago, I let myself get talked into moving all my retirement funds to a different company who was to manage them in such a way that I’d be able to retire comfortably at my desired target age. My previous company hadn’t been doing a “bad” job, but I was hoping for “better.” I guess I should have known I was in trouble when everyone I knew or had been assigned to at the company left (a rather major brokerage) the firm within months have me having moved all my funds. Since that time, I can’t even locate the person who is supposed to manage my funds, not can I get anyone to answer my questions unless I call their “toll-free number” wherein I get connected to someone who either gives me lousy information filled with dead-ends or simply acts like I’m irritating them to death. Just trying to liquidate enough funds to buy my house in Florida was like pulling teeth. Needless to say, the last couple of months of economic free-fall have decimated my dreams of a reasonably early retirement and the hopes I had for spending the last decade of my career (Lord willing) on a mission field of some sort.
With this week’s bloodbath on Wall Street, everywhere I go, I have people asking me what I think is going to happen (an ironic question to ask ME of all people), where do I think it will end and what am I doing in light of this catastrophic scenario. My reply? “I don’t have a clue!”
But I’m not going to let it bother me either.
It’s only money and it was never mine.
For years, I’ve told a corny joke that I think is really relevant in a day like ours. It goes like this…
A powerful and arrogant lawyer found himself at heaven’s gates about to be ushered in by St. Peter. (Yes, I KNOW the theology is wrong.) As he waits his turn, he stands guards over two huge suitcases. As he approaches the front of the line, he grabs them one by one by the handles and with much grunting and perspiration pulls them along with him.
As Peter checks for his name on the entry list, he informs the lawyer that he will be unable to bring any luggage in with him. The lawyer begins to protest loudly. “I simply MUST bring these in with me. I won’t hear of leaving them behind. Too whom must I speak to get permission?” He grew louder by the minute in spite of Peter’s calm explanation that rules were rules. Finally, frustrated, Peter disappeared behind the pearly gates for what seemed like an eternity (Get it? ETERNITY) and when he emerged, he said, “Apparently, you must be well connected or something because I’ve been given a special exception to allow you to take your suitcases in with you.”
Delighted, the lawyer began dragging them toward the gates. Peter, stopped him, however and said, “Sir, before you can take those in. I have to see what is in them. Would you mind opening them for me?” The lawyer immediately dropped them to their sides and began opening the heavy locks.
Finally, with a bit of a flourish, the lawyer lifts the lids to the massive suitcases to show Peter brick after brick of shining 100% pure gold! Every nook and cranny of the suitcases was packed with it.
Peter has a funny look cross his face and then breaks out in hysterical laughter. He’s soon laughing so hard that the tears are streaming down his cheeks and he can hardly contain himself. As he holds his ribs, he calls for Gideon and a few other angels who were standing near by to come take a look.
As they look to see what the commotion is all about, Peter calls out, “Guys, you HAVE to see this. This poor moron got a special exception to take anything he wanted into heaven with him and the idiot brings two suitcases full of….
(….wait for it, wait for it….)
….PAVEMENT!!!!”
So just keep in mind, it’s not worth getting all worked up over. It need not be a cause for depression or despair. God is still on his throne no matter who is elected President in 30 days or where the stock market stands at the end of the year.
And all the riches we think are so important today? In a few years….it’s just going to be “pavement”.
As the old hymn says…
My hope is built on nothing less,
Than Jesus blood and righteousness.
Jack said,
October 10, 2008 @ 10:17 am
Now that’s funny! And some of the best preaching
I’ve heard. As Christians we say we trust in God and we say it’s God’s money but we don’t act like. And who will the non believers be looking too? As for me and my house; “We trust in God!”.
Jim Peet said,
October 10, 2008 @ 11:43 am
Thanks Dan,
Good reminder and funny (I always appreciate lawyer jokes!).
Used on our young adult website!
Monroe Roark said,
October 10, 2008 @ 12:10 pm
That joke was just plain hilarious, in addition to conveying a great principle. Keeping an eternal perspective is obviously most important, but even on an earthly scale the current mess is not the end of the world, especially for those of us who know we’ll be working another 20 years. The market will go up again and it will go down again. That’s the way the world works.
Jonathan Charles said,
October 10, 2008 @ 5:12 pm
The closer you get to retirement, the less and less you should have in equities. Anyone retiring in the next few years will probably not make up what was lost. If you are in your thirties, then burn baby burn. I’m not predicting a quick rebound, but just as Greenspan spoke of “irrational exuberance” during the internet bubble, there is “irrational fear” taking place here. It will be a great time to buy if you’ve got a long while to retirement.
One thing I’ve learned. A year ago when the Dow was up at 14,000 a few people were speculating as to whether or not there was a housing bubble. Back in the early part of this decade, a few, like Greenspan, spoke of the possibility of there being a tech bubble. When economist begin to wonder out loud as to there is a bubble in the economy, there probably is one, sell and see what happens.
Lopo said,
October 10, 2008 @ 6:12 pm
I don’t think I’ve ever heard that joke before, that was hilarious!! haha. Seriously though, Jesus is the King no matter what crazy stuff is going on around us, and it is always good to be reminded of that.
Brad Propst said,
October 17, 2008 @ 10:25 am
I counsel with 20-30 people every day regarding their retirement assets. It’s certainly a shock to the system to see your retirement account value drop so quickly (but then again the market has been overly kind to us for the past 10-15 years). Stay the course and keep your focus on the future, the worst mistake one can make is making a move when it’s already too late (keep in mind, “My account value is low- but I still own the same # of shares”). If retirement is still 5-10 years out, one should be able to get back to where they were. If one is able- and is still putting into retirement, then they are getting a 40% discount on the same investment funds they were purchasing 1 year ago (its like Wal-Mart out there).
I’m glad you posted this. It’s a great reminder for those of us who have a REAL future in heaven… it’s sad for those who have no clue and think that earthly treasures are all they have.