An investment program promoted by Jesus …

There’s an old saying that you cannot save your way to wealth. I think it’s generally true; usually, to achieve “wealth” you need an investment opportunity that multiplies your investment.

Just what investment opportunity to seek is the challenge. You’ll find as many recommendations as there are financial planners, CPAs, bankers, financial salespeople, and shysters, but cutting through all that noise is the voice of Jesus Christ who has His own investment program He promotes …

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.” – Matthew 6:19-20.

There’s one investment program that towers over all others, one that is both safe, secure, and provides a return on investment that is unmatched anywhere else. It’s God’s plan of our storing up treasures in heaven. This plan is how Jesus wants us to invest, requiring our investing in people and the church for the sake of God’s kingdom while here, so that in heaven our store of treasure will be truly remarkable. Following Jesus’ plan is the way to not only “true” wealth, but eternal riches! Famed evangelist, D.L. Moody, once told a story that illustrates this truth …

I heard of a farmer who, when a friend of mine called upon him to give something for the Christian Commission, promptly drew a check for ten thousand dollars. He wanted the agent to have dinner with him, and after they had dined, the farmer took the man out on the veranda and pointed to the rich lands sweeping far away, laden with rich products.

“Look over these lands,” said the farmer, “They are all mine.”

He took him to the pasture and showed the agent the choice stock, the fine horses he had, and then pointed to a little town, and then to a large hall where he lived; he drew himself up, and his face lit up with pride as he said, “They are all mine. I came here when a poor boy and I have earned all that you see.”

When he got through, my friend asked him, “Well, what have you got up yonder?”

“Where?” replied the farmer, who evidently knew where my friend meant.

“What have you got in heaven?”

“Well,” said the farmer, “I haven’t anything there.”

“What?” replied my friend, “You, a man of your discretion, wisdom, business ability, have made no provision for your future?”

He hadn’t, and in a few weeks he died — a rich man here and a beggar in eternity. A man may be wise in the eyes of the world to pursue this course, but he is a fool in the sight of God. Wealth to most men proves nothing more or less than a great rock upon which their eternity is wrecked.

The question asked of the farmer needs to be asked of us: “What have you got up yonder?”

Where?!

“What have you got in heaven?”

How are you investing in people and the church here to store up treasures for yourself in heaven?

Have you ever sat down and given serious, prayerful thought as to how you can soberly, seriously follow Jesus’ investment strategy?

Scotty