Delayed Gratification

"If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied" (1 Corinthians 15:19).

If that's true, then the life lived in hope of Christ that Paul speaks of is a life whose satisfactions are not in this life, at least less so than all other people's lives. As for all other people, namely nonbelievers, who live not for the future after this life, but at best for the future in this life (e.g. retirement, storing up savings, etc.)--as for them, "they have received their reward" (Mt. 6:2,5,16).

"woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets" (Luke 6:24-26).

I propose "delayed gratification." Delayed lifelong, that is.

"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets" (Luke 6:21-23).

Woe to those whose hope is in this life! For they may gain everything could want on earth, but that's the best they ever get (Mt. 16:26).