Ever look back at old pictures and think, “Why on earth did I choose that hairstyle?” (Perms, anyone?) Or maybe you’ve thought, “If only I had invested in Apple back in the ’80s, I’d be retired on a beach by now.”

Hindsight is always 20/20, isn’t it? If we knew then what we know now, we’d probably make a lot of different choices.

But here’s the amazing thing: Jesus actually gives us insider information about the future. In Matthew 25, He tells the story of the master who entrusts his servants with talents (money, gifts, abilities) before heading off on a journey. Some invest wisely and see it multiply. One hides his talent out of fear and ends up losing everything.

The lesson? God gives us everything we have—time, resources, abilities—and asks us to steward them well. Not just for today, but for eternity.

Here’s the kicker: how we live now impacts what happens then. Jesus is basically saying, “I’m giving you the blueprint for heaven’s economy.”

So how do we live with that kind of eternal focus?

Remember God owns it all. Your money, your gifts, your time—it’s all on loan from God.
You’ll give an account. Not to a harsh judge, but to a loving Father who’s cheering you on, longing to say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Choose to invest, not just spend. Netflix binging is fine now and then, but mentoring someone? Praying for your kids? Serving others? That’s investing—and the return lasts forever.

At the end of the day, the stuff we obsess over—our shoes, our cars, our gadgets—won’t carry over into eternity. But the people we love, serve, and point to Jesus? That’s eternal treasure.

So maybe the better question isn’t “What if I knew then what I know now?” but “What am I doing now, knowing what I know about then?”

Live open-handed. Invest your life. Run your race well. And one day, imagine hearing God say, “I’m so proud of you. Come and share my joy.”