​The Happiness of “Future Goods”

From The Afterlife (#R-35) by Rabbi Avigdor Miller 
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In economics there’s a concept of “present goods” and “future goods.” Present goods is a lollipop; you have it right away. Future goods is when you put money into the bank or you buy bonds; it doesn’t mean anything right now.

​They say that the difference in the quality of the two kinds of investors is a different intelligence. People with lower intellect go for present goods. The intelligentsia go for future goods. It doesn’t mean intelligentsia doesn’t want present goods. But they understand future goods. They have patience. 

The Al-mighty says to us, be patient my children. I made you that you should have joy in this world. But in the case of some pleasures I must deny them to you because they’re going to prevent you from having bigger pleasures. So the Mesilas Yesharim says “haadam lo nivra elah l’hisaneg al Hashem — We’re here to have pleasure from Hashem.” Why pleasure from Hashem? Because that’s the greatest of all pleasures! But then he adds, we are created in order to enjoy the happiness of the afterlife. That’s our purpose. 

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We are created in order to enjoy the happiness of the afterlife

If anyone asks you what you’re doing in the world, whether you can tell it to him or not, you should know for yourself we’re here to prepare for the great career of everlasting happiness. The whole foundation of being a Jew is the clear conviction that our purpose is Olam Haba, the afterlife. Not that the afterlife is an annex, something that’s also going to be given to us; that’s it. That’s why he tells us this we should know is going to be the major attack of the yetzer hara (evil inclination). The yetzer hara will concede to you all things: Believe in the Al-mighty? Good! Believe in Matan Torah? Good! Believe in yetzias Mitzrayim? Good! Believe in torah she’baal peh (Talmud), believe in the whole gemara, believe in everything. Even believe in the rebbe. But be weak when it comes to Olam Haba. 
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The Mesillas Yesharim says in this preface that thing that everybody knows about is the thing that nobody thinks about. The more simple it is, the more it’s neglected and forgotten. Do you know why? Because the yetzer hara is most interested that this fundamental point shouldn’t exist. 

Climb the Ladder: Name three possessions that are important to you. Think how might be used (or used better) to prepare you for the World to Come.