Store up for the future.

There’s a sense of security when we think we have a cushion of resources set aside for a rainy day. We put aside a certain amount of money we can use in a pinch. This reserve is only utilized when we have run out of other options. What we set aside should come through for us when we need it. So we should ensure that we have a dependable supply at all times. 

“Store up on Earth what you will gain for eternity.”

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on Earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6).”

Worldly riches are like a mist that’s for a moment and then gets blown away. The Lord Jesus cautions us to not lay up for ourselves riches that are fleeting. The true riches, those of greatest value, are not susceptible to corruption and decay. Real riches are not stored here on Earth where moths, fire, rust, floods, and thieves can consume. When we set our sights on worldly riches, we waste our efforts on the ephemera. The Lord urges us to lay our treasures in Heaven where they are kept for eternity and are a surety.

Our heart’s passions and ambitions are in line with the things we value most. If we set our hearts on heavenly riches, we will not be overwhelmed by uncertainty.  Heavenly treasures are an inheritance for those who live to serve God and His Purposes here on Earth. Our treasure is what we spend the better part of our lives achieving; it is our most valuable possession. Let your treasure be the sum of your life’s value. Where you lay up your treasure becomes the destiny you seek.

“The upright sow righteousness and reap God’s Goodness for future generations.”

Praise The Lord! Blessed is the man who fears The Lord, who delights greatly in His Commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty on Earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches will be in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. 5 A good man deals graciously and lends. He will guide his affairs with discretion. 6 Surely he will never be shaken. The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in The Lord (Psalm 112).

Those who delight in The Lord are those who also greatly delight in His Commandments. They fear God with eager willingness to please Him. They are blessed with riches that will not fail them or their children. They have God’s Favor and Goodness enfolding the course of their lives. Riches and wealth are not based on the amount of possessions, but the insurmountable Grace and Love God bestows. Those who are blessed are generous with what belongs to God. They are gracious and compassionate to those who are in need. They are stewards of God’s Goodness to them. They are steadfast to entrust Him with all their affairs, in every season. Their righteousness is expressed by generosity, obedience, and trust in God. They will not be moved by adversity because they have placed their hope in God alone. The upright sow righteousness and reap God’s Goodness for future generations.

17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in The Living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life (1 Timothy 6).

Lay up a foundation that will not fail in the storms of life. Do not trust in uncertain riches, and do not become conceited because of the things you own. Become rich in good deeds. Give willingly to those in need, use your resources for good and not for works of darkness. The Living God gives us richly all these to enjoy: the ability and knowledge to make a living, good health, family, shelter, safety, laughter, peace, His Mercy and The Presence of Christ in us—The Holy Spirit. These are the true riches. Be grateful for all that you have today. Remember to be rich in godliness. Store up on Earth what you will gain for eternity.

“Reserve the best portions for The Lord.” 

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in The Lord. 6 There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” Lord, lift up the Light of Your Countenance upon us. 7 You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased. 8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4).

Where is your hope for the future? Put your trust in The Lord. When God’s Face is shining upon you, you will be radiant with His Glory; He is the only source of joy and peace. No amount of wealth or food can guarantee peace, safety, health and joy. God is our shield, help and strength in times of trouble. Offer Him righteousness, thanksgiving and praise. God’s Presence should satiate us with more joy than any other form of bliss. May the Light of God’s Countenance be upon you and satisfy your heart with complete joy. Trusting God keeps us from being anxious about tomorrow; only He can guarantee our safety and peace. 

9 Honor The Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; 10 so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine (Proverbs 3).

Remember to set aside a token of honor and gratitude to God when you receive your earnings. Honor The Lord with the best fruit of your labor. He will bless all the work of your hands and supply you with plenty. By giving to God what we have worked hard to attain we acknowledge He facilitates our ability to work. Our health, knowledge, safety, strength and agility are all God’s enabling. Reserve the best portions for The Lord. The best is what we give Him wholeheartedly. 

10  If you extend your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. 11 The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones. You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail (Isaiah 58).

What if our store of resources never failed? When we are concerned about the needs of those who lack, we extend the kindness we have received from God. In times of darkness and adversity, we can bring light by being a spark of hope for others, in their dark times. The best restorative during hardship is compassion for others. Our own darkness can become our light when we redirect our focus to the needs of those who are suffering. We take out what we are willing to put into God’s account. The Lord will ensure we have more than we need to cater to our needs when we satisfy the hungry and afflicted. 

God gives us the stamina and ability to earn a living, not only to meet our needs but those of others. We become like a well-watered garden, whose fruit never fails to yield. He will guide us continually and sustain us, even during times that we don’t have enough. When we no longer focus on how much we can continue to store, but how much we are willing to give for God’s Honor, we will lack nothing good. Become a spring of water that waters others. 

Blessed is he who considers the poor. The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. 2 The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, and he will be blessed on the Earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. 3 The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed (Psalm 41).

We squirrel away money for a possible rainy day. We should save what we can so that we are prepared for any contingencies. God also stores up for those who set aside for the needs of others. The Lord comes to their aid when they are in dire straits or are facing adversity. He will preserve their lives and they will be blessed by God. God protects them from their adversaries, as He hides them under His Wings. Though they may fall ill and not be able to perform their responsibilities God will carry them day and night. He is their strength in health and in sickness. God’s blessings for those who are compassionate to the poor stretches far beyond what we can amass for ourselves. He will also use others to meet us at every point of our needs. 

“Let your treasure be the sum of your life’s value.”

15 Those who walk righteously and speak what is right, who reject gain from extortion and keep their hands from accepting bribes, who stop their ears against plots of murder and shut their eyes against contemplating evil—16 they are the ones who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. Their bread will be supplied, and water will not fail them (Isaiah 33).

Wealth gained from bribes, violence, theft or fraud is abominable to God. Honest gain is a reward for the diligent and industrious. No true Christian should arrogate to themselves wealth or possessions that rightfully belong to someone else. Those whose lives are defined by righteousness speak what is right; and what they speak becomes their very walk. They will reject fraud, deceit, violence, and have no association with evil. They will be kept in good stead by their commitment to do what is right. They will find refuge in God and their nourishment will be supplied without fail. 

“We take out what we are willing to put into God’s account.” 

Our security is not in how much we store up in investments, homes, possessions or our bank accounts. Saving is a good practice that keeps us from living extravagantly and spending money frivolously. We can determine the value of our income by what we spend it on. Our energy and time are resources we don’t want to waste on futility. We should set our minds on accumulating treasures that will endure this life and eternity. We must leave behind, for the next generation, riches that are not prone to corruption or theft.

When we honor God with our best, He reserves His unfailing provision for our needs. Wealth and riches are not the amount of material things we can have, but God’s Goodness and Favor lavished on those who fear Him and walk uprightly. He daily blesses us with joy, peace, health, strength, our loved ones, food, shelter, and above all else, His Presence. We are stewards of all the good things God gives us to enjoy. We can live a more fulfilled life by honoring God with what we have and sharing with those in need. Our Heavenly Father has more good in store for us than what we can store for ourselves. He will protect us and keep us in adversity, sickness and times of uncertainty. We must not take what is not ours by fraud, bribery and deceit. The best reserve we can have is the one that is sowed in righteousness. 

29 “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. 30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the Heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Luke 12).”