An American investment banker was vacationing at a quaint coastal village.
A small boat with a lone fisherman docked at the pier where the banker was sitting. Inside the boat were a few large tuna.
The American approached and complimented the fisherman on the quality of his fish. He asked how long it took to catch them.
“Only a little while."
The American then asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish.
"I have enough to support my family’s needs."
“But what do you do with the rest of your time?”
He smiled, then explained, “Every day I sleep late, then fish a little. I play with my children, take a nap with my wife, read a book, tend my garden, and help my neighbors in need. I stroll into the village each evening, where I dine and play guitar with my friends.
"I have a full and busy life."
The American scoffed.
“I am an expert in business and can help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the increased catches on the bigger boat, you could buy several boats. Your goal should be to have a whole fleet of fishing boats.
Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would begin selling directly to the processor, and eventually open your own cannery. You would then control the entire process, including marketing and distribution.
You will need to leave this sleepy little village and move up to the financial district of the capital city, where you will run your expanding enterprise. There will be much more opportunity for you there.”
The fisherman asked, “But how long will this all take?”
“Fifteen to twenty years,” the banker replied.
“But, what then?” asked the fisherman.
The American laughed.
“That’s the best part! When the time is right you will sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions!”
The fisherman asked, “Millions — then what?”
The American said, “Then you would have everything you need. You could retire and be totally free! You would earn the satisfaction of seeing your years of work finally pay off! You could move to some peaceful little fishing village on the coast where your grandkids can come to visit. You could sleep late, fish a little, take naps with your wife, read, garden, serve the needy, and stroll into the village for the evening to dine and play guitar with your friends.”
— Author Unknown
See also:
Luke 12: 15-34