Investments, and other secrets

I’m not a financier.  I generally pray before I attempt to balance my checkbook.  Bob isn’t much of a high-tier money guy either, except that D-E-B-T is probably the foulest 4-letter word in his vocabulary, (and growing up an athlete, he knows a few.)

It was an amazing act of Providential grace and Sovereign foresight that all three of our girls got through with their college bachelor degrees without school debt.  Sure, we worked and saved, and they worked and saved, but there were some other pretty amazing things that happened.  It is also a testimony to the hand of God that we paid off our house, (such as it is…), around the time of the housing fiasco/market recession of 07/08.  How did that happen? 

Basically, we invested in what God invested first; that is, He gave us life, health, drive, opportunity, (oh yeah, and did I mention grace?  Lots of mercy and grace.) He gave us His word.  He gave us Himself.  What we chose to do with all that was, as they say, up to us.  

And still is, according to Jesus:

“Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

Now, freely admitting that investments are not my forte, I at least know from even my limited experience that investing has to be intentional and consistent, and most times sacrificial.  What I don’t know can hurt me, badly, (and has), which means I need help in finding out what I don’t know.  (We’ve had the same investment counselor for decades.) 

And since eternity is going to last considerably longer than Wall Street, it behooves me to check in with the Counselor Who is so graciously provided.  Clearly, we are not only invited to invest in heavenly treasure, we are expected to store it up!  For ourselves!!

(Woot-woot!)

Interestingly, this conversation with Jesus is tucked into the same chapter about seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and that everything else we need will be added to us.  This means that having a college education, or a house, or anything else is really about putting those things toward furthering His Kingdom here and now, however He wants to use them through me.  

‘Cuz really, all the stuff He allows me to have on this side of eternity is going to crumble anyway since they are merely the tools to dig for and build up the real treasure, the things that will last.

I’ll stop here, lest I go over my word count.  But I’d like to know–what are you doing to store up treasure in heaven?  I’d love it if you wouldn’t mind sharing any investment secrets….. (shhhhhh….)

Luke 12:33-34 Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.