Over the past few months, I have received many emails and offers regarding financial investments. Such emails peddle the offer as being a sure way to increase the amount invested as a ‘sure thing’ that is certain to increase ten-fold. Though such offers sound good, there is always the question of legitimacy. To read some of the hype brings to my mind two old sayings: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” and “A fool and his money are soon parted.”
Anytime we make financial investments, we can rest assured that there are no guarantees. While it may be true that one can invest in a start-up company and make unimaginable profits (such as with Microsoft™ or Facebook™), you can also lose your money. Therefore, any investor or entrepreneur must be careful to do the research and invest wisely.
On the other hand, there is one investment anyone can make that is sure to reap a huge reward. Such an investment requires more than just a few dollars; in fact, it requires no cash-outlay at all. However, it requires all of you! I am speaking of investing in eternal things through receiving by faith the Person of Jesus Christ.
I have met very few people who did not wish to have a hefty bank account – or, at least, a few dollars in the bank. I once knew a man who often said, “I don’t want to be rich. I simply want to have just one dollar more than I need to spend.” Though we may never have great wealth in this world, we can be rich beyond compare as Jesus taught that we can send our riches ahead of us.
In Matthew 6:18-21 Jesus taught “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth or rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
It is true that any material, tangible object can be lost, stolen, wear out or succumb to the elements, but eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ never will. Jesus taught that there were many mansions in heaven prepared for those who receive and love Him. In that city, which Jesus refers to as ‘My Father’s House,’ the streets are paved with gold, the gates of the city are made of pearl, and the wall of the city is set on a foundation made of twelve precious stones. And we are told that “Eye has not seen nor has ear heard, nor has entered into the heart of man the things God has prepared for those that love Him.
All of heaven’s beauty and riches are available to every man and woman, simply for the asking. The apostle Paul assures us that “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
- Pastor Jerry Dunn, Oak Street Baptist Church
