When God provides true security.
For many years, my husband and I have been studying and striving for financial wisdom. We’ve gotten advice from elders and experts regarding how to save, invest and properly use our finances both for our own security and for the advancement of the kingdom. And recently we talked with a few financial advisors to help us think through funding college for our kids and providing for retirement etc… NONE of these conversations have been fun for me! 401Ks and Roth IRAs are not on my list of engaging topics of discussion. I’ve noticed myself zoning out more than once (Thank God for a detail oriented partner!). One of the phrases that kept coming up was “Investing in your future”… and while I know they mean savings accounts and college funds… my mind wandered to this verse:
”Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1Timothy 6:17-19
I heard God reminding us not to put too much “stock” (no pun intended) in building up wealth and trusting in a financial security that is in so many ways false. He commands the rich (and that’s almost all of us who have anything close to an American lifestyle) not to get arrogant, not to lean on money to provide for us, to Hope in God, and to be RICH IN GOOD DEEDS! After too many conversations about balanced portfolios… I’m reminded not to neglect my investment in kingdom work… because, in this way, by spending time, energy and action, I save up for a solid eternity AND take hold of a life that money could never afford me!
Today, I invite you to be “generous and willing to share” and I encourage you to take the time to store up treasure in the eternal…to take hold of the LIFE that is TRULY LIFE!
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. “ ~Philippians 4:19-20
Comments