Shortly after my wife, Kelly, and I were married, we began the application process for me to attend Denver Seminary. Before we arrived, we received an interesting request from Denver Seminary’s then-president, Dr. Haddon Robinson. He challenged us to consider a question: “What do you want to have written on your tombstone?” Honestly, at that point I had not thought much about the end of my life. Dr. Robinson was challenging us to ask ourselves, “What do you want your life to count for?”

I have had the opportunity to officiate at many funerals, and I am always amazed to think that regardless of the length of one’s life, it will likely be summed up in a brief ceremony of 30 to 90 minutes. So what will they say about you during those fleeting minutes?

In Matthew 25, Jesus presents the parable of the talents. Two of the servants who were entrusted with money invested well and doubled their money. They were both greeted with the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” (vv. 21, 23). But the servant who squandered away and hid what had been entrusted to him was cast out and his money taken away.

This parable is a poignant reminder of Dr. Robinson’s challenge. How are you and I investing ourselves in God’s Kingdom? What investments are we making with our time, talents and treasures? In other words, when we stand before the Father, what will we hear?

As I look to my kids (all adults now) who are still on the front end of life, my challenge to them is, “What are you investing your life in that will matter?” As I think about success for them, it is not the jobs they have, the cars they drive or what tax brackets they find themselves in. It is how they are investing their lives for Kingdom purposes.

How about you? Are you investing your life in what really matters? Someday you and I will both have our lives summed up in a 30-to-90 minute service. What will you be remembered for? What will be on your headstone? For me, I hope it will say: “He lived his life serving his Lord, loving people and loving his family!”

Point to Ponder:

• Stop and reflect on how you are investing your life. Are you investing in what really matters? How can you live a life that counts for God’s glory in all things?