Today, Tuesday, October 31, 2017, is the tenth in a series of chapters in Russell Board's book entitled, 40 Days With Jesus.
You will not be the same after reading each of these inspiring and informative chapters. They are concise and comprehensive chapters and you will be captivated by each one.
Stand by for the tenth chapter entitled, "Treasure":
TREASURE
Matthew 6:19-34
Where is the best place to invest your money? When it comes to the stock market, countless investors have learned the hard way that the possibility of great gain is matched by the risk of great loss. Some financial advisors recommend buying real estate, others gold or silver. Of course, many of us simply struggle to make ends meet, with little or nothing over at the end of the month to save or invest.
Jesus offers investment advice that applies to rich and poor alike. “Treasures in heaven” are guaranteed never to lose value, regardless of inflation or economic downturns. And unlike other annuity funds, these pay dividends that never cease.
Think about it: acquiring “treasures on earth” always brings more worry, with problems of upkeep, storage, repair, insurance, depreciation, and the risk of damage, loss or theft. And no matter how much we have, it is never enough; we always seem to think we need more. Perhaps the fact that we are never satisfied with what we have is a clue that true contentment is not found in accumulated wealth.
To be sure, there is nothing wrong with possessing nice things. But we are in big trouble if things begin to possess us. If our hearts are wrapped up in things that are doomed to decay and disintegrate, then heartbreak is inevitable.
It is interesting that prosperity does not seem to weaken our tendency toward anxiety. Few of us actually have to worry about where our next meal is coming from. And although we might not know what we will wear tomorrow, this is because we have a closetful of things to choose from.
Still, we worry. And we are right to do so, if our security is based upon what is in our refrigerator, closet or bank account. The cure for this anxiety is not in piling up more stuff, but in recognizing the true source from which all good things come. God is our provider, whether we realize it or not. Once we do realize it, we can receive what He provides with gratitude and joy, without grasping and clinging like orphans who have no Father to care for them. We cannot know what tomorrow holds, but we know who holds tomorrow.
These days it isn’t the poor who seem most anxious about what they are going to wear, but rather the trendy who continually change wardrobes to match the style-of-the-season. The massive multi-billion dollar advertising industry bombards us with images and messages aimed at persuading us to make this or that purchase, based on deceptive promises of success, happiness and fulfillment. But nothing we can buy in the store or online is going to meet the deepest needs of the soul.
Whether it is designer clothes, the latest model car, or the newest technological gadget, it is easy to get caught up in the game of keeping up with the world’s changing fashions. But how many of us are equally concerned with keeping up with what God is doing in the world?
All of us direct our efforts toward achieving and preserving that which we value most. Our gaze is focused upon this treasure, and it determines the direction and quality of our lives. If we pursue vain and empty things, we will lead vain and empty lives. We must take great care to set our hearts upon what is of true and lasting value.
The Kingdom of God is not just a future hope; it is a present reality. Indeed, although invisible to those who have yet to be awakened from spiritual death, God’s Kingdom is more lasting, more significant and more real than the political, economic and entertainment activities that dominate the newspapers and airwaves.
Let us not be distracted by illusions and trivialities. We are stewards of the wealth, time and talents God has given us, with the opportunity to use them to further the work of His Kingdom in this world. What could be more important?
Each of us sets the priorities for our own lives; no one dictates them to us. No doubt as Christians we all want to see God’s will done in our homes, our churches, our families, and our neighborhoods. But can we honestly say that this is first priority for us, the number one desire of our hearts? Or do we devote the better part of our energy to the pursuit of other things, while seeking the Kingdom of God in our spare time?
Meditation: Judging by the way I spend my time, my efforts and my money, what is the treasure that I value most?
Prayer: Lord, help me to trust You to provide for my needs; help me not to be fooled into chasing after what is of little value; and help me to invest in the lasting glory of Your eternal Kingdom.
You will not be the same after reading each of these inspiring and informative chapters. They are concise and comprehensive chapters and you will be captivated by each one.
Stand by for the tenth chapter entitled, "Treasure":
TREASURE
Matthew 6:19-34
Where is the best place to invest your money? When it comes to the stock market, countless investors have learned the hard way that the possibility of great gain is matched by the risk of great loss. Some financial advisors recommend buying real estate, others gold or silver. Of course, many of us simply struggle to make ends meet, with little or nothing over at the end of the month to save or invest.
Jesus offers investment advice that applies to rich and poor alike. “Treasures in heaven” are guaranteed never to lose value, regardless of inflation or economic downturns. And unlike other annuity funds, these pay dividends that never cease.
Think about it: acquiring “treasures on earth” always brings more worry, with problems of upkeep, storage, repair, insurance, depreciation, and the risk of damage, loss or theft. And no matter how much we have, it is never enough; we always seem to think we need more. Perhaps the fact that we are never satisfied with what we have is a clue that true contentment is not found in accumulated wealth.
To be sure, there is nothing wrong with possessing nice things. But we are in big trouble if things begin to possess us. If our hearts are wrapped up in things that are doomed to decay and disintegrate, then heartbreak is inevitable.
It is interesting that prosperity does not seem to weaken our tendency toward anxiety. Few of us actually have to worry about where our next meal is coming from. And although we might not know what we will wear tomorrow, this is because we have a closetful of things to choose from.
Still, we worry. And we are right to do so, if our security is based upon what is in our refrigerator, closet or bank account. The cure for this anxiety is not in piling up more stuff, but in recognizing the true source from which all good things come. God is our provider, whether we realize it or not. Once we do realize it, we can receive what He provides with gratitude and joy, without grasping and clinging like orphans who have no Father to care for them. We cannot know what tomorrow holds, but we know who holds tomorrow.
These days it isn’t the poor who seem most anxious about what they are going to wear, but rather the trendy who continually change wardrobes to match the style-of-the-season. The massive multi-billion dollar advertising industry bombards us with images and messages aimed at persuading us to make this or that purchase, based on deceptive promises of success, happiness and fulfillment. But nothing we can buy in the store or online is going to meet the deepest needs of the soul.
Whether it is designer clothes, the latest model car, or the newest technological gadget, it is easy to get caught up in the game of keeping up with the world’s changing fashions. But how many of us are equally concerned with keeping up with what God is doing in the world?
All of us direct our efforts toward achieving and preserving that which we value most. Our gaze is focused upon this treasure, and it determines the direction and quality of our lives. If we pursue vain and empty things, we will lead vain and empty lives. We must take great care to set our hearts upon what is of true and lasting value.
The Kingdom of God is not just a future hope; it is a present reality. Indeed, although invisible to those who have yet to be awakened from spiritual death, God’s Kingdom is more lasting, more significant and more real than the political, economic and entertainment activities that dominate the newspapers and airwaves.
Let us not be distracted by illusions and trivialities. We are stewards of the wealth, time and talents God has given us, with the opportunity to use them to further the work of His Kingdom in this world. What could be more important?
Each of us sets the priorities for our own lives; no one dictates them to us. No doubt as Christians we all want to see God’s will done in our homes, our churches, our families, and our neighborhoods. But can we honestly say that this is first priority for us, the number one desire of our hearts? Or do we devote the better part of our energy to the pursuit of other things, while seeking the Kingdom of God in our spare time?
Meditation: Judging by the way I spend my time, my efforts and my money, what is the treasure that I value most?
Prayer: Lord, help me to trust You to provide for my needs; help me not to be fooled into chasing after what is of little value; and help me to invest in the lasting glory of Your eternal Kingdom.
Russell Board and his wife, Sandra, are career IPHC missionaries. They are currently serving in Asia, and living in Saitama, Japan. Russell serves as the Director of Missions for Asia/Pacific IPHC World Missions Ministries.
Russell is as prolific writer and is no stranger to IPHC church members.
Russell wrote Sunday school Adult Student curriculum for One Accord Resources for use by IPHC and other Pentecostal denominations for 15 years. He also wrote Adult Teacher curriculum from time to time.
The book he wrote for new believers was revised in 2012 and reprinted in a new format under the title GROW. It is available here:
http://lifespringsresources.com/grow-maturing-believers-through-the-truths-of-the-christian-faith
Presiding Bishop Doug Beacham and Russell Board co-wrote an e-book called CHRISTMAS BEFORE AND AFTER, where Russell penned 25 readings for Advent and Doug wrote 12 reading for the Twelve Days of Christmas. It is available on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Before-After-Doug-Beacham-ebook/dp/B00A7XJ3LC/ref=sr_1_5?
40 Days with Jesus is available through LifeSprings here: http://lifespringsresources.com/40-days-with-jesus-encountering-jesus-in-the-gospels
Also, the Kindle version is available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/40-Days-Jesus-Encountering-Gospels-ebook/dp/B074G2NFDZ/ref=sr_1_3?
Russell is as prolific writer and is no stranger to IPHC church members.
Russell wrote Sunday school Adult Student curriculum for One Accord Resources for use by IPHC and other Pentecostal denominations for 15 years. He also wrote Adult Teacher curriculum from time to time.
The book he wrote for new believers was revised in 2012 and reprinted in a new format under the title GROW. It is available here:
http://lifespringsresources.com/grow-maturing-believers-through-the-truths-of-the-christian-faith
Presiding Bishop Doug Beacham and Russell Board co-wrote an e-book called CHRISTMAS BEFORE AND AFTER, where Russell penned 25 readings for Advent and Doug wrote 12 reading for the Twelve Days of Christmas. It is available on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Before-After-Doug-Beacham-ebook/dp/B00A7XJ3LC/ref=sr_1_5?
40 Days with Jesus is available through LifeSprings here: http://lifespringsresources.com/40-days-with-jesus-encountering-jesus-in-the-gospels
Also, the Kindle version is available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/40-Days-Jesus-Encountering-Gospels-ebook/dp/B074G2NFDZ/ref=sr_1_3?