What kind of return are you getting on your investments?  You probably need to get at least 4 percent just to keep up with inflation. So, the goal is to get at least 5% or more.  Whether you invest in CD’s, IRA’s, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc., your intent is to increase your funds for future needs. To get higher yields often means to take higher risks as well. 

     Well, let me tell you about an investment offer that seems too good to be true.  If it weren’t for the One promising it, it would be  totally unbelievable.  It has to do with investing in things that will last–that are eternal. In what we call “The Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus said: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mt. 6:19-21).

     Bible teacher, pastor, and author Harry Ironside said, “When you sell out to Jesus you will eventually receive more than you have ever left. God will see that it is made up to you in abundant measure, for Jesus tells us that He gives a hundredfold to all who yield themselves to Him.  (In case you are wondering, one hundredfold is 10,000%.) Most of us are satisfied if we get three or four percent on our investments. Yet we shrink from making an investment that would yield us 10,000%!  We are afraid to submit our lives into the hands of the Lord, but He never fails those who submit to Him. And when we come to the end of the way, how we shall praise Him!  We have eternal life now through faith, but when we reach the heavenly city, we shall enter into everlasting life in all its glory” (1947).  The Apostle Paul, quoting from Isaiah, wrote: “But just as it is written, ‘Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him” (I Cor. 2:9).  

    In Mark’s gospel, we read about a man who apparently struggled with the love of money. This man asked Jesus what he needed to do to “inherit eternal life” (Mk. 10:17). The man claimed he had kept all the commandments since he was a youth (v. 20).Jesus “said to him, ‘One thing you lack; go and sell all you possess, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come follow Me.’ But at these words, his face fell; and he went away grieved, for he was one who owned much property” (vv. 21,22).  Scripture clearly tells us that we receive eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ and His work at Calvary, not in any works or merit on our part. Selling our possessions and giving the money to the poor won’t save anyone, but the point of the account in Mark is that this man loved  and was trusting in his possessions (which, by the way, violated the Law and made him a sinner!) and wouldn’t let go to follow Jesus. 

     Peter, who was listening to this discussion, “began to say to Him (Jesus), ‘Behold, we have left everything and followed You.’  Jesus said, ‘Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farm, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he shall receive a hundred times as much…” (vv. 28-30a).  (That is a 10,000% return on investment!).  It is important to note that this does not teach a “prosperity gospel,” that if you give to God you will be healthy and wealthy. What it does mean is that you will receive spiritual blessings of joy, peace, contentment and purpose that no amount of wealth could ever bring. And, you will be “storing up treasures in heaven” that are safe and secure. You will never hear a testimony of a believer who regrets going all out in following Jesus!  Forsaking all and following Him will cost you. For the Apostles (except for John) it cost them persecution and martyrdom, but they would all testify that it was so worth it. In His second letter to the Corinthians, Paul–who suffered greatly as a committed follower of Jesus Christ–said, “Therefore we do no lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (II Cor. 4:16-18).  And by the way, if we “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” God has promised to meet our needs (Mt. 6:25-33 cf Phil. 4:19). 

     Investing in God’s Kingdom through acts of service and generosity yields far greater “return on investment” than worldly pursuits. It offers eternal rewards and a life of peace and purpose here on earth. Giving generously to Christian ministries, serving others with the talents and spiritual gifts God has given us and spreading the Gospel will bring great spiritual returns. So, be a good steward of your resources, using them wisely to advance God’s Kingdom. Jesus’ parable of the talents in Mt. 25:14-30 teaches the importance of investing God’s gifts and resources to produce a greater return. The same principle is taught in Jesus’ parable of the sower and the seed. When we sow seed on good soil (receptive hearts) it yields a harvest of 30, 60, or even 100 times greater than the seed sown (Mt. 13:1-23). 

     While it is wise to invest and save for your future needs, don’t forget to  prioritize investing your treasures, your time and your talents in what is eternal, not temporal– God’s Word and the souls of people. Your return on investment will be “out of this world”!

Forever His,

Pastor Dave N