Wise Investing

When Jesus taught on money, He didn't pass the offering plate.  He did it for the hearer's benefit. 

Jesus taught that when you invest.  Invest in things that last for eternity.  

Matthew 6:20 (NKJV)

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

Jesus didn't teach that treasure is bad.  He did say that if your store treasure here on earth that you will lose it. 

You will lose it in this life, or you will lose it at the end of this life.  There is life here on earth, but there is more life in eternity.

   

In Jesus's day, there was a motto to eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow you die.  Jesus taught life goes on for eternity.

   

The core of Jesus's teaching is this. Why would you exchange eternal treasure for temporary treasure? 

How will you invest your time, talents,and  money?  People think that what they've earned is theirs, but the Bible teaches otherwise. 

Moses taught.

  

Deuteronomy 8:17-18 A  (NKJV)

17 then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ (deception)

18 “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth...

James taught.

James 1:16-17 (ERV)

16 My dear brothers and sisters, don’t be fooled about this. 

17 Everything good comes from God. 

Every perfect gift is from him. 

These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky.

God has entrusted you with the decision to invest wealth either here or in eternity.   

Earthly treasure is money, and what money can buy. God doesn't need your money. Heavenly treasure is what matter's most to God. 

What God treasures most is your heart. Our hearts naturally follow where we store our treasures.

Matthew 6:21 (ERV)

21 Your heart will be where your treasure is.

If your treasure is upon the earth, your heart will be here too. If you'll place your treasures in eternity, the longing of your heart will be there too.  

You have the ability to control the longing of your heart by where you store your treasure.  

This is a secret in eliminating fear of death. If all your treasures are here on earth, when it's time to go, you'll panic.  

However, if your treasures are stored in eternity, that's where your heart will long to be. Fear of death loses it's power over you.

1 Timothy 6:17-19  (ESV)

17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 

18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 

19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

How do you turn your heart to God.  Share with those who have need.  Through simple acts of kindness, we can be an answer to other people's prayers.  

The world doesn't have a provision problem.  We have a distribution problem.  God gets blamed when we don't share.

The Bible teaches the power of systematic % giving which is called the tithe.  Why don't you have a systematic % strategy of giving to others?  

Why don't you budget to give away something like a fast food meal each week?  

Can you not see how over time this could impact your treasure in heaven?  

Matthew 6:24 English Standard Version (ESV)

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.

We are talking about your heart right?  Either God is your master or the things of this earth are.  The earthly things can own you.  That's the deception. 

Things that you own require your time to maintain.  It can overwhelm and control you.  

You get one time at bat in this life.  Don't become a slave to things that don't matter.  You will have a master.  The god of this world which is money or the God of eternity.  

If you are not intentionally investing in heaven, you're investing here on earth.  If you hear the truth, but don't heed it, you're being foolish.  

Please don't be deceived and fooled by the temporary god of money.  Choose wisely. Only you can make this choice.

Ask the Holy Spirit what are you saying to me with these words?  Please draw me to you Holy Spirit.  

Jesus, your teaching is so easy to understand, but impossible to live out on my own.  

Jesus, please be Lord of my life.  I refuse to serve the things in this life. Amen.  

Excerpts from Steve Gillen, Willowcreek Church