For about a year, my daughter, her husband, and I have been playing a “campaign game”—a series of battles whose outcomes accumulate throughout a campaign composed of many battles.

Our band of fantasy heroes has fought about 10 battles in our lengthy struggle against the forces of evil.

A laptop is necessary to keep track of myriad details such as each hero’s ever changing wisdom, wit, agility, strength, and inspiration.

My son-in-law gave wise advice that applies to this particular game and to life itself.

He said: “There are two types of games. Games where you should save. And games where you should use. This is the kind of game where you should use your items rather than saving them for “a rainy day”. By using items, you will become ever more wise, witty, agile, strong, and inspiring. But, if you save your items for “a rainy day”, you’ll fall behind as your enemies grow ever stronger.”

Reflecting on this wisdom, I realized that Jesus taught us that our life isn’t the type of game where we should save. Life is the type of game where we should use.

For example, Jesus encourages us to be diligent “entrepreneurs”—people who use their “wealth” to earn more “wealth”.

In contrast, Jesus condemns people who are too fearful to use their “wealth”.

Such fearful people bury their “wealth” in the ground. Instead of saving their wealth by burying it, these fearful people lose their wealth. (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27).

Jesus condemns hiding our light under a bowl instead of using our light to light the world. (Matthew 5:14-16).

Jesus condemns saving our wealth—hoarding our wealth—in barns. Those who vainly save for their own benefit are rich fools.  (Luke 12:16-20).

Why?

Because at a moment that they least expect it, they will die. And then who will enjoy the wealth they hoarded? (Luke 12:20, 35-48).

Jesus warned, “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:21).

Therefore, Jesus commanded:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20).

Obviously, the “wealth” to be increased is not merely wealth as measured by money. True “wealth” is measured by virtues such as wisdom, wit, agility, strength, and inspiration.

Increasing such “wealth”—by using it instead of saving it—is just one example of why Jesus told us:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” (Matthew 16:25).

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For additional thoughts arising from games, please read my blogs “Chess Lessons: Playing for a Draw” and “Poker Lessons: Playing the Cards? Or Playing the People?”.