« Stewardship Devotional
Day Thirteen - Investing in the Kingdom
Luke 12:33 “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for your- selves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted.”
Read
Luke 12:22-34
Apply
Only two things from this world will never pass away: God’s Word and people. When we invest our resources into people. We are making an eternal decision. Jesus tells us that giving cannot be a losing investment.
Are you spending on things that will pass away, or investing in a cause that will make a difference forever? As the hymn writer puts it: “Fading is the worldlings pleasure, all his boasted pomp and show/ Solid joys and lasting treasure, none but Zion’s children know.” God’s kingdom will never end, billions of years after every ‘safe’ investment on earth has disintegrated. Giving money to the poor, according to Jesus, is not throwing money away; rather, it is the only reasonable thing to do.
- What do you consider ‘safe’ in this world? How does that compare to the safety of God’s eternal kingdom?
- Do you have the same concern for the poor as Jesus did? Why or why not?
Pray
Pray for a renewed lifestyle that sees people as more eternal than things and thereby puts more effort, time and money into people for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Do
Find a person that you know that has a practical need. Try to meet (at least part of) that need by getting rid of something that you have. Don’t give away something worn out; give away something you like.
Copyright 1997. Redeemer Presbyterian Church of New York City