ARE YOU MAKING PASCAL’S WAGER WITH YOUR FINANCES

DOLLARS AND SENSE

by Joe Plemon 

      “Pascal’s Wager” , an argument for belief in God, was formulated by 17^th Century French Philosopher and Christian apologist Blaise Pascal. 

     The “Wager” argues that if one lives as an agnostic, he is betting his life on the non-existence of God.  If, upon death, he discovers that he was wrong, then his wager has cost him his eternal life.  On the other hand, if he chooses to live as one who believes  in God, and discovers at death that he was wrong, he has lost nothing because he has still lived an unselfish, honorable and satisfying life.   Either way, Pascal argues, the wise wager is to believe in God and live accordingly.

     I believe the same logic applies to the handling of finances.  Our two choices are: 1) living for today or 2) planning for tomorrow.  If one chooses to live for today, he is betting his future that he will have no unmet needs later in life.  If he is wrong, he will some day be preparing meals from the cookbook, “98 Ways to Eat Alpo and Love It”.  On the other hand, if one plans for tomorrow and somehow doesn’t live to enjoy the fruit of his plans, he still wins.  Why?   Because the very process of being in control of his money has made his life better.  This choice produces healthier marriages and more peaceful lives.  “Stuffitis” is a non-issue because he has learned that stuff can never make him happy.  He avoided the stress of too much debt and the nagging voice in the back of his mind that says, “What will you do if you lose your job or your health?  How will you handle an emergency?”

     One definition of character is the ability to delay pleasure for a greater good.  Don’t bet your life on living for today.  It is a losing wager.