Spending on What Really Matters

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Got my car scratched and dented at the rear car door last week. Was in too much of a hurry as I left the car park and did not check the clearance on the left. The most serious scratch/dent I have since having the car for 2.5 years.

As with most guys, I believe, we have this "emotional link" to our cars. Some call it the "pseudo-mistress-complex"...:). Anyway, I felt the "pain" instantly. My first thought was to get it fixed immediately. Most of us guys want our cars to be in pristine condition always...hence the tendency for guys to spend fortunes to upgrade/mod their cars.

Indeed that was foremost on my mind even on the next day when I drove my car to Borneo Motors Bodycare workshop in West Coast. I just wanted my car fixed as soon as possible, and I thought the period when I will be abroad next week might be the perfect time to do it. Hence I wanted to get the damage assessed and the workshop booking done.

So I had the Borneo Motors employee (I forgot his name) assess the scratches and dents on my car. The good news was that the scratches were not deep enough to cause me rust issues. He then gave me an estimate of the cost required to do the panel beating/respraying. Quite expensive, but expected.

His next response took me by surprise. He asked if he could give me advise on what I should do. I said yes. He said to me: " Bro, your damage is not serious...it is purely cosmetic...I strongly recommend that you live with it & leave it unrepaired. There are better ways of spending your money."

I think I had an epiphany right there. So obsessed I was with getting the appearance fixed that it did not occur to me to think if it was worthwhile to spend that money.

Come and think of it, the same principle extends to so many other areas of our lives.

As Christians, we "know" that we need to live for the eternal, because the world that we live in will soon pass away, and yet, the way that we live, spend our time, money and resources, too often betray our real values. Some of us spend more money than we should on houses, cars, clothes and other "toys". Some of us on the other hand, spend too much time and energies on activities that in the long run, may not have much eternal value, such as climbing the corporate ladder for purely $$ and vanity's sake, or kiasism (cannot lose out to others). Others sacrifice precious time with family and loved ones for other pursuits that in the long run bring nothing but emptiness and regrets.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matt 6:19-21)

Good reminder. Need to guard the heart to focus on what really has eternal value. For that alone, I think it is wise to leave the dent on the car...so that every time I see it, God's reminder comes to mind again.
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