Lessons Learned on the Journey

Since the year 2000, investing in the stock market has created an uncertainty for many. Anxiety can become almost palpable for some of us as we place our hard earned money into stocks, bonds, mutual funds or other investments. The risks can be haunting in the middle of the night.

Some years ago, reading the Wall Street Journal resulted in a chat with one of my daughters about new stock offerings. A new stock offering from Ralph Lauren that yielded 10's of millions of dollars caught my interest. The conversation with my daughter veered to investments other than those for financial gain. Our chat centered on earthly investments versus eternal investments. We concluded that money and energy invested in eternity paid great dividends. The conclusion - risk and anxiety about return on investment greatly diminishes because of its certain payout.

Jesus, speaking to his disciples, suggested that investing in the Kingdom of God would bring return on investment that would not cause us the same anxieties that earthly investments bring, "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:20-21 NIV)

Functioning as an investment counselor, the Apostle Paul instructed Timothy concerning some investments which pay great profit for eternity. "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 6:18-19 NIV)

As we continue to wisely invest in this temporal world, let us never forget God's economy. This week, invest wisely!