Articles
Investing in God
One of the biggest disasters in recent American history was the stock market crash in 1929, which brought on the Great Depression. It was an economic crisis. Stocks and bonds were of no value, those who had invested in the stock market lost all they had, and jobs were scarce. It was a “great” depression in the sense of the extent and intensity of it. Today, we are in a similar economic situation. It is called a recession now, but some characteristics are shared between these two low points in our economy. These two historic events show us the instability and unsureness of money. Perhaps it even shows the folly of putting our trust solely in physical things such as homes, cars, bank accounts, and other ‘things’ of this world.
The greatest investment one can ever make is not the top stock or the greatest up-and-coming company. It is in heaven, in the Lord. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls on the hearers to invest not in things of the earth, but in things above. He says, “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” (Matthew 6:19-20). The wonderful message that Jesus is giving here particularly relates to us today considering the wealthy society in which we live. How easy it is for us to be carried away with “stuff,” and forget to be carried away with godliness! America is a nation of zealous people. We are zealous to get jobs, earn lots of money, buy lots of things, and live in the utmost comfort. In and of themselves, these are not bad aspirations. In fact, we need to be willing to work (Ephesians 4:28; Colossians 3:23). How much wiser it would be for us to turn our zeal and work ethic towards service to God!
Jesus says we are not to “lay up” treasures on earth. He is stating that our lives consist of investments, whether earthly or eternal. Luke 12:15-21 tells the story of a rich man who did not “lay up treasure for himself and [was] not rich toward God.” This man had an abundance of possessions, but did not guard against covetousness (15). We know the problem was not with the amount he owned, but that he had completely invested in something perishable, all the while neglecting the imperishable. He put his stock in the here and now. Often we read this parable and think we are not like this man because we study the Bible and are “church-goers.” Perhaps we need to consider this warning more carefully. Does our emphasis on earthly treasure cause us to live in such a way that God might address us as “fool,” like He did this rich man? What if the Lord required our soul tonight? Would we go into an eternal “great depression”?
Our 401k and our retirement plan are important things. Our bank account is also important, as well as jobs and whatever wise investments we make here. But consider once again the exhortation of the Lord in Matthew 6. He tells us to invest in the unfailing hope of heaven. Whatever we have here can be taken from us. Moths and rust can destroy even our most prized possession, and thieves may break in and steal all that we own. Do you see the foolishness of earthly gain? Point your life toward heaven. Set your treasures there and work zealously towards that goal! Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also” (21). We need to set our hearts, souls, and minds on what is to come. Eternity is inevitable. Invest in the Lord. His promises will stand forever.
