Wise Long-term Investing

Another post from my friend, Bob McCook

Monday Morning
Challenging the way we think about the coming week

March 9, 2009

Wise Long-term Investing

Matthew 6:19-21 Don’t pile up treasure on earth, where moth and rust can spoil them and thieves can break in and steal. But keep your treasure in Heaven where there is neither moth nor rust to spoil it and nobody can break in and steal. For where your treasure is, you may be certain that your heart will be there too.” JB Philips

I must admit that when I looked at this command, I assumed Jesus was anticipating economic scenes like today… and then I laughed. Few are bragging about their wise investments. The mail or Wall Street Journal or the internet brings the news of painful losses and hopelessness for our earthly future… unless you know Jesus.

We, who are in Him, have hopefully learned the lessons of wise and unwise investing. Even if you invest your money well, it will remain behind. Don’t you agree that only those who hold their “riches” with outstretched open hands have a peace beyond measure? Paul writes to Timothy these words, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” Our contentment means nothing apart from Jesus. It’s just words.

You might think it unfair of me to write these words at this time. Perhaps you are right. With an economy going south, unemployment rising, and record government spending, perhaps I should be offering prayers for our economy but not today. God is in charge. No matter the end result, if we are “in Christ” we will not mind the outcome; it will not separate us from Him. He is faithful and has prepared a way out for His Children.

No one ever said that being a follower of Jesus Christ is safe or without risk. Words like safe, risk, trust or contentment have new meaning in the Kingdom of God. We are to risk everything for His sake. Live without fear as though He died yesterday and is returning tomorrow. Avoid risks like “sure-thing” investing but hold contentedly to Jesus’ hand. This is one investment that cannot fail.

Bob McCook
PO Box 634
West Chester, PA 19381
484-614-0367cell
610.429-4076 office
bmccook@priorityone.org
http://www.priorityone.org/
Ministering to men since 1982

I love how one Christian woman responded when asked what she did for a living. She said, "I am a missionary for Jesus Christ, cleverly disguised as a checkout clerk at Kroger's."
Doug Spada, hischurchat work.org 2009