What Are You Investing In?
by Malcolm Wood
Even in financially challenging times I expect most of us would like to think that we could continue to save and provide, either for ourselves for the unpredictable times ahead, or for those we leave behind when we die.
Certainly, there is much in Scripture which encourages wise and prudent stewardship of the resources we are entrusted with. One such example is the parable that Jesus told in Matthew 25 in which a wealthy man entrusted his servants with his money while he was away. The servants who invested the money wisely were commended, but the one who did nothing was severely reprimanded.
When we compare this account with the teaching Jesus gave in Matthew 6:19 regarding the uncertainty of earthly investments ‘where moths eat, rust destroys, thieves steal’ (and these days we would add financial systems collapse), there obviously is a balance to be struck between the value of our earthly possessions and those we have as citizens of a heavenly Kingdom.
Jesus encourages us to store up treasure in heaven where it is secure and never loses its value. He also challenges us with the words, ‘Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be’ (Matthew 6:21).
This treasure can take many forms, and it is not only the financial contributions that we can make to the work of the Kingdom of God, but also our personal commitments of our time, effort, words, actions, giftings, and prayers, in promoting and extending it.
The Apostle Paul warns us that any contribution to the building of God’s Kingdom must be of lasting value, otherwise on judgement day it will be destroyed (1 Corinthians 3:13). It is, therefore, imperative that we are discerning and led by the Holy Spirit in what and how we invest in that Kingdom. Likewise, as good stewards we also need that same guidance when it comes to our earthly investments, however large or small they may be.
I recall the words of an old Sunday School chorus by W. D. Pennice which seems to say it all:
Lay up treasure in heaven,
life will pass away.
Lay up treasure in abundant measure
for the great accounting day.
Lay up treasure in heaven,
though men count thee poor.
Thou shalt reign with the Sons of God
for evermore.
Malcolm Wood and his wife Anna became part of the Ellel family as House Managers at Ellel Grange in 1990. Since then they have been involved with many aspects of the developing Ministry. From 2001 until 2015 they were Directors of Ellel Scotland where they hosted several International Schools and Operation Blairmore and helped pioneer the exciting Creative Inspiration Weeks. They have three sons.
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