David Brooks is a New York Times columnist. He talks about the difference between “resume virtues” and “eulogy virtues.”

He writes: “The resume virtues are the skills you bring to the marketplace. The eulogy virtues are the ones that are talked about at your funeral—whether you were kind, brave, honest or faithful. Were you capable of deep love?”*

I resonate with his list of eulogy virtues. Why? Because they’re biblical! 

Kindness: “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness…” (Colossians 3:12)

Bravery: “stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13)

Honesty: “Do not lie to each other…” (Colossians 3:9)

Faithfulness: “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

Love: “over all these virtues put on love…” (Colossians 3:14)

Don’t get me wrong. Resume virtues are important. They can be very good, especially if they help us get jobs and provide for others. But eulogy virtues are the ones that especially show the grace and power of God working in and through our lives. 

In the day-to-day hustle and bustle of modern life, it is easy to lose perspective about what matters most. It’s not all about making money, climbing the ladder of success, or impressing others. 

Let’s be intentional—not only about what we’re doing, but about who we’re becoming. This will be a gift to the people around you and to the wider world, even after you’re gone.

“The resume virtues are the skills you bring to the marketplace. The eulogy virtues are the ones that are talked about at your funeral—whether you were kind, brave, honest or faithful. Were you capable of deep love?”*

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Notes and extra content:

–“If you want to actually be like Jesus.” Sermon. Click here. November 3, 2024. Also find it on ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan’ wherever you subscribe.

–*David Brooks, “The Moral Bucket List.” https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/12/opinion/sunday/david-brooks-the-moral-bucket-list.html  (Accessed on October 28, 2024)

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.