Post by Les Brewer on Sept 10, 2012 6:59:11 GMT
Eternal Investments by Joe Stowell
September 9, 2012
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal." Matthew 6:19
...
Madame Blueberry, Veggie Tales heroine of materialism, loves shopping at the “Stuff-mart.” Her problem, however, is that her treetop cottage soon becomes so overstuffed that the tree collapses under the weight of it all.
We can experience a similar situation. Our families suffer if we place material gain above spouses and children. When the day is done, our energies may be spent and little time may be left to pour out at home.
The strength of the work of Jesus may be compromised as well. The promise of quick credit and plastic cash leaves us in bondage to debt, which disables our support of the kingdom of God. Living for financial and material gain means living for the realm of empty treasures, where “moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19)—leaving few leftover resources to support worthy causes. Sometimes too late, we realize that precious things have collapsed under the weight of our own greed.
Thousands of missionaries retire each year. Who is going to replenish the mission fields? All over North America, our children are growing up just like us, choosing their careers based on how they can make the most money and on what will help them achieve the highest standard of living as quickly as possible. What of the many workers who will be needed to win the world to Jesus? Who will go? Who will support them?
We need to be on guard lest our pursuit of a hollow prosperity threatens to weaken the supply line of eternity. Jesus calls us to live above earthly things, to treasure the eternal things of His kingdom. When we pour our resources into His kingdom, it’s the best investment we can make. No matter what the world may tell us, eternal investments yield better dividends.
September 9, 2012
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal." Matthew 6:19
...
Madame Blueberry, Veggie Tales heroine of materialism, loves shopping at the “Stuff-mart.” Her problem, however, is that her treetop cottage soon becomes so overstuffed that the tree collapses under the weight of it all.
We can experience a similar situation. Our families suffer if we place material gain above spouses and children. When the day is done, our energies may be spent and little time may be left to pour out at home.
The strength of the work of Jesus may be compromised as well. The promise of quick credit and plastic cash leaves us in bondage to debt, which disables our support of the kingdom of God. Living for financial and material gain means living for the realm of empty treasures, where “moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19)—leaving few leftover resources to support worthy causes. Sometimes too late, we realize that precious things have collapsed under the weight of our own greed.
Thousands of missionaries retire each year. Who is going to replenish the mission fields? All over North America, our children are growing up just like us, choosing their careers based on how they can make the most money and on what will help them achieve the highest standard of living as quickly as possible. What of the many workers who will be needed to win the world to Jesus? Who will go? Who will support them?
We need to be on guard lest our pursuit of a hollow prosperity threatens to weaken the supply line of eternity. Jesus calls us to live above earthly things, to treasure the eternal things of His kingdom. When we pour our resources into His kingdom, it’s the best investment we can make. No matter what the world may tell us, eternal investments yield better dividends.
