SPARTAN SERIES #149: “YOU’RE NOT RICH UNTIL YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT MONEY CAN’T BUY”

MAXIM FOR THE AGES

This whole idea can be summarized by a quote from Jim Elliott in a book written by his late wife Elizabeth, “Through Gates of Splendor” which was based on his time as a Missionary in Ecuador. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” I would highly recommend reading this book to gain a little perspective on life, bodybuilding, and the eternal.

In bodybuilding there is nothing that we suffer, plan for, endure, work for, or achieve that can be measured by money. All that we do has meaning and value in an intangible sphere. I don’t know anybody in this sport that even considered what the monetary price of a win or a high placing would be. I’ve never met a fellow competitor backstage or after the show who ever spoke of money connected to the stage. This sport, “my fine feathered friends” is about accomplishing your personal best without conventional financial incentives. Let me say it loudly, “its all about personal ego, pride, and the journey to be the best THIS TIME!” Each time we go onto the stage we are looking only to be better than the last time. Being better with every outing is it’s own reward. Nobody pays us to do this stuff. In fact, most bodybuilders expend tremendous amounts of money out of their own pockets just to train and compete.

I would submit that we are the richest people in the world because all that we have cannot be purchased with money. So, you see, we muscle heads start out rich and we remain rich because nothing we have is for sale nor can it be purchased. “We are no fools because that which we gain can never be taken away.” —-Nor can anybody buy it from us! But to be faithful to the eternal, “He is not fool who gives hat he cannot keep (his own life) to gain that which he cannot lose (our souls and eternal life).

Bottom Line: Decide what’s important and never give it away. It belongs to you because you earned it. However, along the way you’re going to have to also decide what is expendable and that which is permanent.