Wise Investments

I recently read about a study which set out to determine what Americans spend the most time thinking about. You may be surprised (or not) to learn that for 25%, the topic that occupies the mind most frequently is money. Worldly wisdom teaches us that the more money we accumulate, the more secure we will be. Naturally money (and the 2nd most fascinating topic–work) is where we invest our time, talent and treasure. The Bible tells a different story is some of the parables.

Remember the rich farmer in the 12th chapter of Luke? His farm produced some much grain that he decided to build more barns for storing it. He was going to make merry for years on his profit. Unfortunately, he died before he got to enjoy his riches. He was not wise, but foolish.

Later in the same chapter, we read the story of the servants who spent their time keeping the home of the master ready for his arrival. Nobody was there to keep them from getting drunk, fighting, or simply loafing about. They chose wisely by spending their time being faithful.

In Matthew, Chapter 13, we find the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value. In both cases, a man sells all that he has to gain these things, which Jesus likens to the kingdom of heaven. What a wise investment!

The message is clear. Make a wise choice. Invest in the things that are eternal–the things of God.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

For more posts about the parables see:

Looking for Lost Lambs

Birds of the Air by S.E.M. Ishida

Using our Talents

Are You Giving Thanks for the Right Things?

“Take a look at your own heart, and you will soon find out what has stuck to it and where your treasure is. It is easy to determine whether hearing the Word of God, living according to it, and achieving such a life gives you as much enjoyment and calls forth as much diligence from you as does accumulating and saving money and property.”

Martin Luther

Other quotes by Martin Luther:

Martin Luther on Marriage #4

Martin Luther on Love

Martin Luther on Obedience

The True Blessing

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matthew 6:19-21

Most of us in the United States grow up looking forward to achieving “the American Dream.”  That means all manner of material blessings:  a nice car, a beautiful home, a stylish wardrobe, exciting vacations and more.  All those things are blessings, although we would do well to remember that they come from God, not as a result of our own merit.  The big problem is, they don’t last.  I love to go to thrift stores and it’s amazing to see all the things, some very nice things that end up there.  I imagine many of them are collections and treasured belongings that were once important, but are no longer;  the person who owned them has died, moved on to another interest or hobby, or possibly had to “downsize” and couldn’t afford to keep them.  So the question is, why invest our time in acquiring all these “things” in the first place?  Why not spend our time and money on treasure that is real and permanent?

I’m no different.  I spent a lot of my life acquiring things that I’ve now lost, things that wore out, became outdated, or that I had to sell or replace.  In retirement I look back and see that many of them weren’t as important as I imagined.  So what is?  Relationships, for one– our relationships with our parents, children, friends, and most of all God.  The Bible teaches:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your soul and with all your mind, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Luke 10:27

and

“Love never ends.  1 Corinthians 13:8

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the rich young ruler is told that loving God and his fellow man is the way to eternal life with God.  That’s the true blessing and the only treasure that lasts.