Eternal Investments

"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. 

There is a great lesson in there for big kids like you and me. If we are not careful, we can experience a similar dynamic in our own lives. For instance, when life is all about gathering stuff, our families suffer as we place material gain above spouses and children. When the day is done, our energies are spent and there may be little time and strength poured out at home. Then, we begin to feel our homes collapsing. 

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 these empty earthly things, to treasure the eternal things of His kingdom. When we have resources to pour into His kingdom, it’s the best investment we can make. No matter what the world may tell us, believe me, eternal investments yield better dividends.

YOUR JOURNEY…

• What treasures have I stored up on earth?
• How can I pursue God’s kingdom rather than my own?