In our economy, investing for the best return is difficult. Five years ago, it appeared that real estate had no ceiling. “Buy property,” we were told, “It will only increase in value.” Well, that’s no longer true! Most real estate has steeply declined in value in the last year. Warren Buffett, CEO of the investment firm, Berkshire Hathaway, a man whose sense of the economic markets has made him one of the richest men in America, yesterday invested $44 billion (that’s not a typo!) in Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. He called his investment, “An all-out wager on the economic future of the United States.” Buffett is not a gambling man despite his choice of words. He must be convinced that the American economy is about to start to hum again, raising the need for rail transport and the profitability of the railroad. But, even Buffett cannot guarantee a return.
In what are you invested? No, I’m not asking about your financial situation. The question is bigger than bucks. It’s a life question, worthy of research and careful planning. In what are you putting your efforts, your time? What kind of future reward or pay-out do you anticipate?
Some disciples raise an eyebrow when rewards are mentioned! But why? The Scripture, time and again, promises all of us a reward. Our lives are not without consequence; good or bad! Take a look.
• "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites." (Colossians 3:23-27, NLT)
• In another passage that borrows on an agricultural metaphor we learn that "God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." (Galatians 6:7-8, NKJV)
I anticipate a rich reward in Heaven! I am not ashamed to say that and I make no apologies for looking ahead. I read the prospectus, evaluated the worthiness of the Guarantor, and chose to trust my life and treasure to the Eternal CEO of heaven. Many of the choices I have made throughout my life are investment decisions. Rather than choosing to pursue a short-term return of wealth or pleasure that I might have enjoyed, I have chosen to follow Christ’s invitation to ‘lay up treasure in Heaven’ where there is no market fluctuations, no Bernie Madoff-style rip-offs, no shift in values.
Some of you may be thinking, “Jerry, you sound almost greedy.” No, I am just taking God at His Word. Do not read me wrong here. It’s not that I expect rewards similar to those that are based on earthly wealth. In heaven who will care about a house with 10 bathrooms or a Lamborghini in the garage? Who will desire to own reserves of gold in a place where all that we need is provided for us by a loving Father? I cannot even begin to conceive of the joy of receiving God’s commendation, or knowing that my life has pleased and honored Him. That reward, which He guarantees to those who are faithful, captivates me today.
Yes, I see all of life as an investment. May the Lord make us wise investors who see beyond Today and into our eternal home. Here’s a word from the Word. Ponder it and be challenged by the promise.
"Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward."
(1 Corinthians 3:10-14, NLT)
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Often I'm hindered on my way,
Burdened so heavy I almost fall.
Then I hear Jesus sweetly say,
"Heaven will surely be worth it all."
Many the trials, toils, and tears,
Many a heartache may here appall.
But the dear Lord so truly says,
"Heaven will surely be worth it all."
Heaven will surely be worth it all.
Worth all the sorrows that here befall.
After this life with all its strife.
Heaven will surely be worth it all.
Heaven Will Surely Be Worth It All
Cooper, W. Oliver / Jones, Minzo C.
© 1945 O.A. Parris. Renewed 1973. Assigned 1979 M. Lynwood Smith Publications
CCLI License No. 810055
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