Pastor Marc Likins
Matthew 6:19-21:
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
The Bible has many examples that encourage us to handle money God’s way. In Luke 16, Jesus told His disciples the parable about a steward who was in danger of mismanaging the Lord’s money, and in Philippians 4, Paul commended the Philippians for giving generously, which provided fruit to their account.
We’re often told by financial planners that we should plan for thirty years in the future and not just three months or three years. Christ, the ultimate investment counselor, takes it even further in Matthew 6 and tells us to see how our investment will pay off in not only thirty years, but thirty million years. He teaches that our funds should be transferred from earth, which will one day collapse, to heaven, which is insured by God and will replace earth’s economy forever. Treasures stored up in heaven!
The life best lived is one lived with giving in mind. Live life as if it were a game of Uno: the first one to lay it all down wins. To lay all things down for Christ is the reward. To truly give is to truly live.
Choose to give away your treasure and send it ahead. Tithe every month, give above and beyond to missions, pack a box for Operation Christmas Child, volunteer your time and money to the food pantry or pregnancy center - the options are limitless. Every opportunity to give away your treasures is an opportunity to retain eternal dividends.
“I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.” - Martin Luther