Best known for its elegant and expensive watches, Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe has also become well-known for its clever advertising slogan which says: ‘You never actually own a Patek Philippe; you merely take care of it for the next generation.’ And that ought to be the motto for all of our lives because ultimately we are not the owners of what we have either – and I’m talking about our gifts, our abilities, our opportunities and all those things that leave an impression on the world around us. We are managers of them, and the way we manage them will be felt not just in our lifetime but beyond to the generation that follows.
The Bible says, ‘No-one lives to himself and no-one dies to himself,’ and that we’ll all give an account of our stewardship to God. Our life and influence is of more value than we think. We should use it well.