Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:7-8
“The most valuable math you can learn is how to calculate the future cost of your current decisions” (Unknown source). Many people live with a credit card mentality, doing what please us now and not fully calculating the cost that we will incur later. Like swiping that card, we feel no pain at the moment, only the happiness brought from whatever immediate pleasure we gain. Nevertheless, we will feel it greatly when the bill comes due with all the added interest costs. Such is the case with many of our daily decisions when we lack the wisdom to think about how it will impact things down the road.
This is true both temporally and eternally. How many people face great long-term costs in this life from impulsive decisions? No doubt we can think of people who ruined their bodily health, friendships, families, careers, reputations, etc. because they chased some immediate pleasure that cost them dearly later. The Bible is shot through with examples of such instant gratification bringing lasting sorrow for the participants and those around them.
The first example comes from the first couple in Genesis 3. Having been warned of the consequences, Eve’s desire for the immediate perceived benefit of the fruit led her to make a hasty decision. That decision cost her, and every human that has, now does, or ever will live extensive sorrow (Romans 5:12).
What about Abram, Sarai, and Hagar in Genesis 16? Abram and Sarai grew restless awaiting the son of promise, so they utilized a common custom of the people of their place and time to try and hasten the fulfillment of the promise. Abram, Sarai, Hagar, and Ishmael all suffered the sorrow brought about by the envy and jealousy that such an arrangement often naturally produced (Genesis 16; 21). Worse than that, the temperament of Ishmael and his descendants (the Arabian peoples) has gendered strife with all the surrounding peoples ever since, just as the Lord said would be (Genesis 16:11-12).
What about Esau who sold his birthright to satisfy a momentary hunger (Genesis 25:29-34)? The rights and responsibilities of the firstborn son were tremendous. They received a double portion of the inheritance, and they became the patriarch of the family tasked with leading and protecting them. Esau soon regretted the decision, but he had no means of reversing the course (Hebrews 12:16-17).
What about David and his disastrous choice with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12)? David had been a faithful king up to this point, but on this one day, he chose immediate gratification with no thought for the cost to come. After his adultery led to an unwanted pregnancy, he committed murder by proxy to cover his tracks. When rebuked by Nathan the prophet, he immediately repented and was forgiven (2 Samuel 12:13; Psalms 51). Nevertheless, the consequences of this choice would follow David and his family throughout life on earth as the “…sword shall never depart from you house…” (2 Samuel 12:10-11, 14).
This list of incidents could go on for quite some time, but these are sufficient. What should we do with these points in view? For starters, we must learn not to think temporally, carnally, materialistically as these did, so that we may avoid the impulsive decisions that are so costly down the line. With David’s story in view, we can glean at least two key principles to help guard us from folly. First, we must recognize that the faith of our yesterday is insufficient to protect us from folly today. David had been a truly faithful servant of God until this point, yet he fell hard and fast. We must be vigilant every day (1 Peter 5:8). Second, when we do fall, no matter how far it may be, if we will humble ourselves as David did, we must take courage knowing that the Lord is sure to forgive. Though we may never be particularly skilled in algebra, trigonometry, calculus, etc., if we master this math skill, all will be well for all eternity.