August 1, 2008 (Friday)
I did not invest $10,000 in Wal Mart stock in 1970, so today I don’t have the $57,000,000 that investment would have earned. Neither did I buy $10,000 worth of Southwest Airlines in 1980, so I don’t have the $916,000 that would have fetched for me. And I did not invest $10,000 in Dell in 1990, so I don’t have the $4.4 million the stock purchase brought to those who bought it.
It may surprise you to discover that Jesus talked in terms of investments. One of his greatest parables was the one about talents. A talent was a sum of money. A wealthy man showed trust in his servants by placing some of his money in their hands and asking them to invest the money for him. Those who invested well were rewarded but the one who hid his talent and refused to invest it was punished. Jesus talked about an investment that will pay off in heaven. He talked about investing in the lives of people. He emphasized treasure in heaven. He gave us a paradox: deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and you will receive an abundant, happy life here and now and a home in heaven. You will receive treasure in heaven that never fades , corrodes, rots or rusts.
People who invest in stocks, etc. can lose their investment, but those who follow Jesus’ plan never lose. Whatever our commitment to Christ may cost us, Jesus has promised more than adequate repayment in heaven.
Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38 NIV).
A pastor led one his wealthy members to give millions to worthy Christian projects. The man lost everything in the Great Depression. The pastor went to see him, and profusely apologized for urging the man to give away his money. The kindly gentleman, through tears, replied to his pastor, “Pastor, I am surprised you would feel this way. Don’t you know…don’t you know that all I have now is what I’ve given away?”