Investment Guidelines From The Master - Matt 6:19-21

Why It is Important to Store Up for Ourselves Treasures in Heaven Instead of on Earth

It is estimated that the United States has 276 billionaires, more than 2,500 households with a net worth exceeding $100 million, 250,000 individuals with a net worth of $10 million, and 500,000 individuals with net worth in excess of $5 million. (Maclellan Foundation)

Between 1998 and 2008, the number of the millionaire households will quadruple. (Maclellan Foundation)

Americans own approximately 40 percent of the world’s wealth but comprise only 2.5 percent of the world’s population. (Ron Blue & Co.)

Forty percent of the wealth in America is held by 1 percent of the people. (Ron Blue & Co.)

Eighty-million families in the United States would tell you that they are in financial trouble, after about 50 years of almost unparalleled prosperity. (Ron Blue & Co.)

Incomes have gone up nine to 10 times in the last 20 years and giving has gone down about 50 percent. (Ron Blue & Co.)

Christians worldwide make $5.9 trillion in annual income. One-sixth of that belongs to evangelical Christians. (ServLife International)

Ninety-six percent of evangelical giving is given out of income and only 4 percent is given out of net worth. (Ron Blue & Co.)

Jesus rebuked the Laodicean church when He said, “You say, “I am rich: I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.” (Rev. 3:17-18)

Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21)

1. Jesus knew that knew that human success is ultimately unsatisfying and counter-productive. People who try to be successful, secure and stupendous in earthly terms are often failures in the eyes of God. Consider what how He rebuked the Laodicean church. The Lord Jesus rebuked the Laodiceans because they were:

A. Materially rich but spiritually impoverished. Too many people falsely assume that to be financially successful is the real goal of life. Let us remember that famous phrase, “Only one life will soon be passed. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be satisfied.” (Matt 5:8) All other pursuits in life promise nothing but emptiness. David once wrote, “He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with what is good.” Only in His presence is fullness of joy and in His right hand are pleasures forever more. (Psa. 16:9-11) It is in vain that most people spend their time trying to accumulate wealth without realizing that true riches are found in a growing relationship with the Lord that produces a life of fruitful obedience in His will. Solomon, the richest man on the earth, once wrote, In the fear of the Lord are riches, honor and life.” Ask the Lord to help you to gain a fresh perspective on true riches as you invest in eternal projects of church planting, leadership development, and world evangelism through supporting third world church planters in organizations like GospelforAsia.com or BibleLeague.org or ChristianAid.org These are some of the best organizations where you can store up for yourself treasures in heaven instead of putting your trust in real estate, the stock market or a local bank.

2. It makes for more sense to go with a sure promise from God than to be absorbed in the self-destructive worries, riches and pleasures of this life that are ultimately unfruitful. Jesus once said, “Still others, like seed sown among the thorns, hear the word, but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.” (Mark 4:18,19) It is sad to see how many people are stressed out worrying about their economic security instead of storing up sure treasures for eternity in heaven. In the last three years 70% of the money invested in the Nasdaq has been eaten away. 34% of the money invested in the S & P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial averages has been lost. Many people are in worried because they have lost so much in their 401K and IRA accounts because nearly 50% of Americans followed the bubble of the stock market in the 90’s and got into mutual funds or stocks. More than 6 trillion dollars has been lost since March of 2000 in the stock market. Many are worried and bothered about many things, but still there is only one needful thing that we need to do and that is sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His word to determine His will for our life. (Lk 10:38-42) We have too many Marthas running around thinking that they can someone order their lives better than God can. All of this is done to their in a self-destructive way that needs to be replace with thoughts on things above rather than on things on this earth.