(Put together by Desiring God Ministries. More info: www.dontwasteyourlife.com)

And just to clarify after you’ve watched this video, it has nothing to do with becoming a workaholic, or even an older person being physically incapable of working a normal full-time job. The message of this video is in direct opposition to the commonly glorified practice we have in America of quitting work later in life in order to blow all of our money on our own personal pleasure.  The reason I’m posting this video now is this: make no mistake my Christian brothers and sisters, you’re laying the groundwork for this decision right now in the way you think and the ways you’re already choosing to spend the money you’ve been given. I’ve talked to my fiancée about this issue, and she would’ve been concerned if I had chosen to have it any other way than this, meaning that we are on the same page approaching the issue. If you go into this issue saying “I’ve worked hard to earn this; what’s wrong with going into retirement?” then I’d like to point out that your question is already biased, and a more honest question for a Christian would be to ask “What could I be doing for Christ at this point in my life?” One last thing: I’ll echo in the words of Piper, “God help me live up to this,” because it’s going to be far from easy in the American culture.

Paul Washer: The Truth About Christianity

Transcript here. YouTube url here.

Quote excerpt:

“I’m talking about Christianity. I have spent my life in jungles. I have spent my life freezing in the Andes Mountains. I have seen people die. A little boy–Andrew Myman–the Muslims shot him five times through the stomach and left him on a sidewalk simply because he cried out, “I am so afraid but I cannot deny Jesus Christ. Please don’t kill me, but I will not deny Him.” And he died in a pool of blood. And you talk about being a radical Christian because you wear a tee shirt, because you go to a conference. I’m talking about holiness. I’m talking about Godliness.” - Paul Washer

At the time of posting, this video from 2006 had 1.3 million views, thankfully with the comments disabled to avoid inevitable, pathetic out of context arguments. This guy’s powerful words just make every wishy-washy TV evangelist’s positive self-esteem-building feel-good mystic fluff look like an ant in front of a thunderstorm. And take note that we can walk away thinking about the message, rather than the messenger. Alright, I need to go evaluate my entire life again.