In the short run sin gives you an advantage – cheating, lying, stealing, pleasure. But in the long run it brings a disadvantage – and the longer the run, the bigger the cost.
Running a race. PICTURE: Jonathan Chng/Unsplash
Think about sport. The first time you bend the rules, if you get away with it, it works, you score or win. But something dies inside you. Yet the advantage is addictive, and you do it again.
Soon you get a bad reputation, but the glory is worth it until finally – think sandpaper on the cricket field.
That’s one place you don’t want to be.
It’s worse in the game of life, though, when your sin catches up with you – your reputation is ruined and no-one wants to play with you anymore.
If you don’t want to end up there, learn to sacrifice your immediate pleasure for your future self’s deep satisfaction.
Paul Clark’s musings can be heard on radio across Australia and at atthetop.org.au.
