"INVESTING WISELY"

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

Matthew 6:20

Did Jesus ever teach that Christians should avoid being rich? Is it wrong to work hard and help one's family become financially stable? Does one have to be poverty-stricken to be saved? I think these are good questions, and many of us are perhaps confused, and unable to give a definitive answer.

Today's verse is part of the Lord Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, His most famous discourse throughout His three-year earthly ministry. Verses 19-24 discuss money and its place in a believer's heart. This teaching is connected to the lesson about inner thoughts and motivations being part of righteousness.

During Jesus' time, the people thought material abundance was a sign of the Lord's approval. Therefore, they tried to collect earthly treasures.

Jesus warns His listeners to avoid amassing earthly wealth since they can be lost at any time. He says that the good things in this world are subject to deterioration, decay, and destruction. Losing one's possession to thieves and robbers is another possibility. 

Anything we can see, hear touch, smell, and taste is temporary. Possessing earthly wealth does not guarantee that we will keep it forever. For this reason, earthly goods aren't really that “good.”

Instead, Jesus wants His listeners to "lay up treasures in heaven.” Such treasures are not subject to decay and theft. They refer to things that carry eternal value, i.e., righteous deeds, forgiving one another, and suffering for Christ’s sake. Such acts are pleasing to God and have the promise of reward in heaven.

Is there a greater treasure than honoring the Lord? If Jesus is the treasure of our life, we will commit every resource we have — our time, strength, talents, and money. If we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, our motivation is to give Him glory in everything we do, even in the ministry of giving. Devoting our life and resources to God's use is the wisest investment we can ever make.

To answer our questions at the beginning of this blog, consider these thoughts:

• Being rich is not necessarily evil. In fact, with more financial resources, we can do more good for the sake of the Gospel
• Working hard to help one's family get rid of poverty is not inherently wrong. Scripture tells us to provide for our families (1 Timothy 5:8)
• Being poor does not guarantee salvation; repentance and faith do.

God understands how money can distract people from following Him. And when our hearts are consumed by love for money and earthly goods, we are at risk of ignoring God and His Word. Therefore, the Lord tells us to put our investment in things that do not lose their value. Let’s use our resources to allow more people to hear the Gospel and find the hope only Christ offers. It’s the wisest investment we can make.

Pursue the Savior today!