A dear friend and mentor of mine recently retired. He posted a farewell on social media and amongst the many life pearls and lessons he shared, was one about life phases. Here are the main points he presented.
Phase 1
20-40 years
Learn from others and actively seek teachers and mentors. Soak in the knowledge.
Phase 2
40-60 years
Take the lessons you learned in the first 20 years and be the best you can be, regardless or whatever you choose to do (mother, father, accountant, etc).
Phase 3
60+ years old
Once one reaches 60 years, one’s remaining time is limited. Thus, you want to give it all away. Everything you have learned in Phase 1 and Phase 2, give it away, since you can’t take it with you.
The common theme is to find something one is passionate about, learn all about it, then pass this knowledge and experience along to others. If his advice has a familiar ring, it is because many of the ideas are based upon the Truth that God has given in the Bible, particularly for Phase 3. The aphorism, “You can’t take it with you.” is often quoted as an admonition to living our lives without a fixation on material possessions. It is based upon the following Bible verse.
After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.
1 Timothy 6:7 (NLT)
There is a more profound truth if one reads this verse in context with the preceding and following verses.
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NLT)
God is instructing us to seek contentment by being godly. What does that mean? Does it mean attending church? Volunteering at a homeless shelter? These are noble and commendable activities but godliness finds its true completeness in a relationship with Jesus Christ. All believers in Jesus Christ should be passionate about learning as much as they can about their Lord and Savior, uniting all the phases of their lives. The next phase of our lives will be in the presence of Jesus Christ. When I appear before Him, I do not want to cling to anything in this world that will hinder my relationship with Him.
I want to give it all away to gain the unlimited riches of Jesus Christ!
Amen!
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 