Matthew 6:19-21
“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."
Research suggests that self-professed followers of Jesus take in 68% of the world's income, yet only 3% of that goes to church & charity. I guess that means that most of us live by the bumper sticker slogan, "He who dies with the most toys, wins!"
Is it a sin to be rich? No. Is it wrong to save for the future? No. Is it a sin to drive a nice car, live in a big house, or go on fancy vacations? That all depends on your heart.
I was in the house painting business for 24 years -- 10 years working for a company in the Midwest and 14 years as the owner of my own company in North Carolina. There are a few guys in that world that have made a lot of money … I'm not one of them. These days, I'm focusing on ministry -- my radio show, work with my friends at Harvest Crusades in California, teaching civics and ethics to homeschoolers, and working on my Masters in Christian Ethics at a local seminary. I'm a lot happier doing these things, but making less money than before. In the world's eyes, and sometimes in my own, I seem to be "going backwards." But am I, really?
On average, you can expect to live somewhere between 75 and 81 years, but if you know Jesus as Lord and Savior, your timeline has no ending. So … where do you want to put most of your “stock?” In the little blip that is life in the here and now … or in a future bliss that has no ending?
