Pleasure or Investments?

In a quest to impact lives, an organization gave Paul and Mike, two homeless men, a chance to travel to a third world country on an all-expense paid trip. They were asked to carry nothing along, and to return with nothing. They should spend all they could. Provisions had been made - expenses and welfare. The only caveat was that neither of them knew when they would be asked to return home. 

Upon arrival, each was handed a huge sum and a credit card with no limits. Both were reminded to spend all they wanted before returning to their country home. At this, they became instantly wealthy by local standards. Mike thought to himself, “Wow, This is my opportunity to live like a king, for I don't know how long this would last". Therefore, he rented a Ferrari and other exotic cars. He took the best suite in the best hotel in town. He went to the best stylists, shaved, and transformed his looks. He threw parties often, moved with the most beautiful girls the city had to offer. Everyone in the city thought the affluence was his – the cars, the clothes, the aura, and they loved and respected him for them. In the back of his mind, Mike knew he would go back home someday and leave all these behind but didn't want to think about it. Now, he lived and enjoyed himself to the full.

Paul on the other hand rented a good Honda car to get him around town and stayed in a modest hotel. He thought to himself, "This money will not last and I don't know when I am going back, therefore I have to do something meaningful with it". He decided to use the money and opportunity to change some people's lives while it lasted. He got busy, went out to the streets, and started making a difference. He didn't just give money away; he wanted to help people become self sufficient. He paid off all the school fees of some promising young ones for access to good education so they could take care of themselves and their families. He picked some reputable adults and funded them in businesses that guaranteed they would be able to take care of their families and create employment. He devised means of helping some of the homeless people get off the streets and got some into trades, for he thought, "I would be glad if someone did this for me back home". In short, Paul got busy changing lives. 

Just after a few months, abruptly, it came. It was time to return. They had spent quite some money, yet there was more to spend. It was all over. They both said their goodbyes and headed for the airport. At the airport, they were given their original personal belongings before boarding the plane enroute their country home. Mike reminisced on the good times he had. Soon, his countenance fell. He became somber. He wasn't happy. He was going back to his old life. “How would I readjust to being homeless?” he thought. 

Paul on the other hand felt fulfilled. With smiles all over he thought, “I came with nothing and I am leaving with nothing. I only had an opportunity to affect other lives”. This alone meant the world to him. Readjusting to being homeless wouldn't be an issue. He never lived as if the wealth was his anyway. He always knew he would leave it all someday. 

Well, little did they know that each moment they spent on vacation was being tracked. They would be rewarded after all. Mike stands for pleasure; Paul stands for investments.

Who would you emulate.. Mike or Paul?

Extract from https://www.facebook.com/groups/336491025178/permalink/10154963708545179/