What kinds of investments do you have – insurance, savings, property, stocks, bonds? How secure are they? How well do they prepare you for the future? In preparing the disciples for their future, Jesus describes God’s eternal investment in us.
God made a major investment in His kingdom on earth. He placed human beings on earth as managers of His kingdom. Initially God received a very poor return on His investment. Adam and Eve fell into sin. The world rebelled against Him. But God continued investing His love and mercy in His kingdom on earth. In the fullness of time He invested the ultimate, His own dear Son Jesus Christ, who paid the price of giving up His life on the cross. That costly investment produced rich dividends.
God has now made all believers in Christ’s death and resurrection co-managers in the work of His kingdom. And to us beleaguered managers, wrestling with worries, burdens, and temptations, Jesus Says, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”
Jesus moves us to examine our investment portfolio. He urges us to get rid of the investments that fail – purses that wear out, treasures that can be stolen, and clothes eaten by moths. Conversely, He directs us to safeguard those eternal investments given to us by a loving Father – purses that will not wear out, heavenly treasures that will not be exhausted or stolen, and clothes which no moth can destroy. He means the free gift of eternal life based on the forgiveness of sins through His death on the cross. God’s eternal investments move us to share our possessions with the poor. We joyfully engage in Kingdom work, serving others, witnessing to our faith, rearing a Christian family, and giving our financial resources to the Lord’s work.
PRAYER: Father, help me to live unafraid because of Your eternal investment. Amen.
(Devotions from “My Daily Devotion” by Dr. Stephen J. Carter, copyright 1988 CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. For ordering information, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit www.cph.org.)