Invested In the Temporary

Vincenzo (Vinny) Mancini is the son of Italian immigrants who entered the United States in the mid-1940s. His family did not have much when they arrived, but his parents were seeking a peaceful place to raise their only son after leaving war behind in Italy.

Vinny’s father worked hard and eventually opened a restaurant that became popular in the Italian community of New York City, which attracted locals from the other boroughs of the city. The popularity of his father’s restaurant materialized into a few locations around the city, which allowed Vinny a privileged education.

Vinny was already a street-smart kid, but his private education catapulted his prospects of getting into Harvard University. With his hard work and the sacrifice of his loyal parents, Vinny fulfilled the aspirations and dreams of his parents when they arrive in America.

In 1967, Vinny graduated from Harvard among the top of his class, receiving both a bachelor and master’s degree in International Business. After such a huge accomplishment, he quickly became a hot commodity on Wall Street. 

Vinny wasn’t just an academically inclined rookie in the business world, he understood people at the street level because of his humble beginnings as a poor, immigrant Italian kid. This not only motivated Vinny to be the best, but it gave him a competitive edge over the new applicants who were always afforded the advantage of social capital that few are gifted with as they grow into young adults. Vinny stood out and landed a job with the biggest investment bank on Wall Street.

After working on Wall Street for ten years, Vinny felt he had learned enough about investing to venture out on his own to make his own money. Because of his proven track record as a gifted investor, Vinny was able to take a few huge accounts with him as he started his smaller business.

Vinny made millions over the years, but became a bitter person after his parents had passed away. Although he was a smart guy, it was always Vinny’s deeply religious parents that kept him grounded. He was now in the world without any direction, tons of wealth, and immeasurable power. He was one of the most successful and sought after businessmen in America.

Shortly after Vinny’s 61^st birthday, he learned that he had advanced colon cancer. As to be expected, he was devastated by the diagnosis. After being driven to his $25 million Park Avenue home, he sat in utter dismay as he gazed out over the city. He felt empty and lacking. After one moment of vulnerability, his ego stepped in and whispered to him, “My elite doctors will save me!”

Two weeks later, Vinny was checked into the hospital to begin his treatment. When he learned that the hospital was full and that he would have to share a room, he was beside himself. Vinny had donated millions to the hospital over the years and felt that he was above rooming with anyone. His assistant assured him that no other accommodations were available.

Vinny roomed with a veteran by the name of David Johnson. David was a country boy from Greenville South Carolina. After hours of silence between the two, Vinny asked David, “What are you reading?” David replied, “O’ I’m just reading a little of the ‘Good Book’ before I go lights out.” Vinny immediately checked out of the conversation by turning over and turning out the lamp next to his bed.

The following morning, David’s family came in to have breakfast with him. The moment felt awkward for Vinny being that he had no family there. They offered him food, but he looked at it as though it repulsed him, saying “I think I’ll be okay,” sarcastically.

After David’s family left, Vinny looked to him and said, “So what the hell are you dying of?” Surprised by Vinny’s inconsiderate approach, David shook his head and picked up his Bible. Vinny asked David, do you know who I am?” David replied, “You’re that rich guy who has invested in all of New York.” “That’s right, you should be more respectful when I ask you a question,” Vinny replied.

Without getting upset or losing his cool, David began asking Vinny questions.

“Mr. Mancini, can I ask you for investment advice?” This pleased Vinny that David would consult him for his investing expertise. “Sure go ahead!”

David asks, “It you know that one investment will pay slowly over time and would eventually add up to everything you wanted, while another investment will pay big for a while and sink you in the end, which one would you choose?” Vinny looked at David as though he were a leper, “Of course you take the one which sustains you slowly!”

David asks, “Mr. Mancini, can I ask you another question?” “Last one. I’m getting bored,” Vinny replies.

“What happens to all the wealth that you’ve accrued over the years when you die?” Vinny was perturbed by David’s question because the thought of death had not been allowed to enter his thought process. Vinny responded in an aggravated tone, “I don’t have to worry about that anytime soon, but you on the other hand,” as he chuckled to himself.

David responded to Vinny with a smile on his face, “Sir I don’t have much time on this earth, so I want to make something painfully clear to you.”

“Earlier you said that you would invest in things that slowly pays over time and that will pay big in the end. That Sir would make your whole life a lie! You are one of the richest men in America yet you have only things to show for it. Those things have no feelings nor can they hug you and say I love you as my family did earlier. You see I’m rich as well. My inheritance is of greater significance than yours because it is eternal and transcends the sting of death. My wealth extends to me eternal life outside of this ailing body. You can’t take your wealth with you when you die, but where I’m going there are streets of gold with a mansion with my name on it. You are rich in things that have no meaningful value, and you are as spiritually bankrupt as I am monetarily in the flesh.”

David continued, “Last night I prayed for you Mr. Mancini. I prayed that GOD grants you extended life on this earth so that you may prove your worthiness to enter into the gates of Heaven. I also prayed that you rekindle your relationships with your children so that you do not die alone as you would have had GOD not granted my prayer. You being placed in this room was no accident Mr. Mancini. It’s an opportunity for GOD to speak to you through me so that you may be instructed on how to invest in things that are eternal instead of those that are temporary. Your current wealth will perish with the earth, but your soul can be invested in Heaven’s real estate. Because my investment lies with Christ, I will be wealthy beyond death. If you adhere to GOD’s instructions today, you too will be wealthy beyond death Mr. Mancini…”

Bible Verses for Today:

19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,

20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

24 No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:19-21, 24, 33).

Today’s Prayer:

Our Father in Heaven, the hard times or merely keeping up with those around us have made us lustful for things that bare no fruit. We seek to anchor and invest in You, because we know that our willingness to do so will yield maximum dividends in the form of eternal life with you O Lord. Thank you for the little that we have and bless our journeys with the increase that You deem fit for our lives. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

By: C.D. McCloud