Investing in heaven’s bank

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.      Colossians 3:1

Jesus illustrated great truths with human interest stories. One of them involved a wealthy man who turned over his estate to three men, entrusting each with a certain amount of wealth.

The story, found in Matthew 25 in the New Testament, is poignant and disturbing at the same time. The two who doubled their investments were commended, but the third who, cowering with fear, had dug a hole and buried his talent, was rebuked. “Throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth,” said the wealthy landowner (Matthew 25:30).

A story such as this always has a deeper meaning, a truth that Jesus wants us to see clearly. Simply put, He is saying that God claims ownership of what we have, and that we will someday be accountable for what we do with what God has given  to us. Few people acknowledge that what we have – whether money that we can spend or invest, time that we can use wisely or waste, or talents that can make a difference in our world or be used selfishly (dig a hole and bury them) – is God’s gift to us.

Earlier Jesus had taught, “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” (Matthew 6:17-21).

How do you invest in heaven’s bank? Investing in heaven’s bank goes far beyond giving at church or mailing a check to a charity. It involves not just your resources, but time and talents as well.

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver, and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.  Proverbs 3:13-20