
Randy Alcorn, author of many books including “The Treasure Principle”, shares this interesting parable about money.
Imagine you’re alive at the end of the Civil War. You’re living in the South, but you are a Northerner. You plan to move home as soon as the war is over. While in the South you’ve accumulated lots of Confederate currency. Now, suppose you know for a fact that the North is going to win the war and the end is imminent. What will you do with your Confederate money?
If you’re smart, there is only one answer. You should immediately cash in your Confederate currency for U.S. currency – the only money that will have value once the war is over. Keep only enough Confederate currency to meet your short-term needs.
As a Christian, you have inside knowledge of an eventual worldwide upheaval caused by Christ’s return. This is the ultimate insider trading tip: Earth’s currency will become worthless when Christ returns – or when you die, whichever comes first. (And either event could happen at any time.)
Investment experts known as market timers read signs that the stock market is about to take a downward turn, then recommend switching funds immediately into more dependable vehicles, such as money markets, treasury bills, or certificates of deposit.
Jesus functions here as the foremost market timer. He tells us to once and for all switch investment vehicles. He instructs us to transfer our funds from earth (which is volatile and ready to take a permanent dive) to heaven (which is totally dependable, insured by God Himself, and is coming soon to forever replace earth’s economy). Christ’s financial forecast for earth is bleak – but He’s unreservedly bullish about investing in heaven, where every market indicator is eternally positive!
There is nothing wrong with Confederate money, as long as you understand its limits. Realizing its value is temporary should radically affect your investment strategy. To accumulate vast earthly treasures that you can’t possibly hold on to for long is equivalent to stockpiling Confederate money, even though you know it’s about to become worthless.
According to Jesus, storing up earthly treasure isn’t simply wrong. It’s just plain stupid!
Jesus doesn’t just tell us where not to put our treasures. He also gives the best investment advice you’ll ever hear: “Store up for yourselves treasure in heaven” (Matthew 6:20).
Does your money matter to God? Does what you do with what you have matter to God? The answer is Yes! His Word instructs not only how to make a difference with the money He has made available to us, but also how to make a difference for His Kingdom.
As Christians, we realize that everything we have comes from the Lord. He gives us life and health and strength and opportunities. Everything we have is From Him and Belongs to Him. Our resources are not only ours to use for our own benefit, but we are called to be faithful stewards of what He has entrusted to us. It is a matter of using what He has given to me for my needs, but also understanding that what I have is also to be used for His purpose. Therefore, be a wise steward with what He has given you. Use your resources for your needs, and also for His glory.
We begin a new teaching series, “Money Matters!”, this month, and this Sunday, February 9, we start by considering the question, “Who’s in Charge?”, from 1 Corinthians 4:1-2. Am I in charge of my money and possessions and owe nothing to anyone else? Or do I acknowledge that Everything I have is a gift from God? Your answer to these questions will make a Huge difference in your life. Please invite someone to join you in the building or online for the Live broadcast on either Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday to both locations and would love to have you join us.
Aloha ke Akua!
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