God’s Investment Funds Yield Eternal Dividends

God’s Investment Funds Yield Eternal Dividends

1 Timothy 6:18-19

“They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life” (NLT).

Today’s passages come from 1 Timothy 6:17-19 where Paul tells Timothy to teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

Paul advised Timothy to deal with any potential problems by teaching that having riches carries great responsibility. If I have been blessed with wealth, then thank the Lord. Don't be proud and don't trust in my money. Rather use my money to do good. Be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share. No matter how much money I have, my life should demonstrate that God controls the wealth that he has placed under my care.

The Bible says in 1 Timothy 6:18-19, “They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life” (NLT).

I must keep in mind that I am going to enjoy forever what I invest in, in heaven, and I’ll be investing in heaven every time I use my money for good. So how do I do this? Financial advisors will tell me not to put all my eggs in one basket. I should put my money into different funds for a balanced portfolio.

God has given different “funds” that I can invest in for eternity? I’ll look at three today and two tomorrow. These are all funds that are proven. They have a track record. They’re protected. They are risk-free, and they yield enormous dividends.

First is, God’s Growth Fund. This is anytime I invest in something that is going to grow my character. Proverbs 10:16 says, “The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin” (NLT). To enhance my life with my money, I use it to grow spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally. When I use money to develop my skills and become mature, I’m investing in eternity.

Second is, God’s Mutual Fund. This is every time I use my money to encourage fellowship and build relationships with other believers. Romans 12:13 says, “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality” (NLT). God wants me to use some of my money to show love to other believers because it proves that I’m in God’s family. Second, it creates unity. And third, it’s a witness to unbelievers.

Third is, God’s Service Fund. This is when I invest in eternity by using money to serve others. God wants me to take some of my money and use it to help people who are in need. Proverbs 11:24 says, “The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller” (The Message). In other words, the more I help others, the more God blesses me. God is a giver. He is generous, and he wants me to become like him. I do this by investing in my character, other believers, and people in need.

Bottom Line:

Do good works, be generous and be ready to share. This is the way to store up true treasures for the future.

What this means to me:

God tells me that I should be rich in good works, generosity a readiness to share with others. By doing this, I will store up true treasures for the future, and experience true life.

In summary, I should be careful about being to proud in or trust my money. Money can be unreliable. My trust needs to be placed in God, who is the one who richly gives all I need. I should be extremely thankful for what God has given me. Then, I should use the money he has given me to do good. I should be rich in good works and generous to this who are in need with a willingness to share  My life should demonstrate that God controls the wealth he has placed under my care. My money should be used to grow spiritually, intellectually and emotionally. Use my money to encourage fellowship and build relationships. Use some of my money to help those who are in need. God promises to take care of me and to bless me through my attitude of generosity and giving.

Today I thank you Father for the material blessings you have provided me. As I reviewed my earnings this past weekend, I did find areas that needed to be adjusted in my giving. It is my willingness to make the choices to give back and invest that truly helps me learn to put my trust in you. I ask that you help remind me of any other area that I need to make adjustments in.

As I start my day, I pray Father for your wisdom and guidance in what I have in front of me. Allow me to clearly communicate priorities and tasks that need to be accomplished. Help me to respond rightly to those I interact with today. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!.