Wednesday, October 1, 2008

A Personal Word - Treasure

This week the media and media watchers have been focused on the economic bail-out, sell-out, or whatever you want to call it. The moment may be historic, but it's too early to tell.

The hullabaloo gets down to one Biblical word, treasure. According to Bible Gateway, the King James version uses the word almost a hundred times. For example:

Matthew 6:19
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Matthew 6:18-20

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Matthew 6:19-21

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matthew 6:20-22

What does that say for your 401k or Roth IRA? I saved for the future, too. It always seemed to be the responsible thing to do. But Jesus calls us to build up a heavenly portfolio. How are we doing with that?

To the rich, young ruler who sought self-justification, Jesus said: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."
Matthew 19:20-22

The experts have laid the economic problem at the feet of Greed. The pursuit of happiness has been exchanged to the pursuit of the almighty dollar. Greed drives our economy and goes all the way down to the lowliest investor.

No comments: