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Realizing the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom of God.
Rooted in Christ

It’s About Time

Jesus lays out an investment strategy for citizens of heaven.

“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven….
for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:20–21, NKJV)

Something to Watch

In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus lays out an investment strategy for citizens of heaven. That strategy is not “buy low; sell high.” Rather, guided by the principle of serving God over Mammon, the strategy is to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Our portfolio cannot consist in an accumulation of money or gold or goods, which can be depleted or destroyed. Instead, it is to be stored in the vault of heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

A Japanese businessman learned this lesson the hard way. He stepped out of his hotel room in Paris for a brief smoke. A passerby asked him for a cigarette. When the man extended his arm the stranger wrested his watch from him. That watch was worth $800,000.

A kingdom portfolio typically does not consist of investments that enrich us. It looks to loving people and finding ways to serve them. It looks to loving God and the benefits of a life devoted to Him. We see that vividly in our Lord Jesus who sought not to be served but to serve.

The Wrist of the Story

The story of the watch is a vivid reminder of the fragility of life and fleetingness of the kingdom of this world. In a flash, it can all be gone. The question is whether our heart, our hopes, our dreams go with it.

Our Lord Jesus says that where our treasure is, there will our heart be also. That puts the question of what would break our heart if we lost it. He then has us look at the carefree birds and natural beauty of the lilies, and reminds us that the God of creation tends to these things.

Then He looks us in the eye. He knows our anxieties for what may happen tomorrow. And He tells us not to be anxious. We are to know Him and trust Him. We are to go about seeking first His kingdom, assured that His grace is sufficient for the day.

Not that we can’t enjoy nice things or plan for the future. But ultimately that future is in the hands of the God we know as our Father in heaven.

Digging Deeper

  1. If God were to ask you, “Are you engaged in building bigger barns or are you rich toward Him,” how would you explain yourself?
  2. What are ways to invest in the kingdom of God?     

“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” 

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Scripture quotations marked NKJV are from The Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved. Those marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Stan Gale

Stanley D. Gale (MDiv Westminster, DMin Covenant) has pastored churches in Maryland and Pennsylvania for over 30 years. He is the author of several books, including A Vine-Ripened Life: Spiritual Fruitfulness through Abiding in Christ and The Christian’s Creed: Embracing the Apostolic Faith. He has been married to his wife, Linda, since 1975. They have four children and ten grandchildren. He lives in West Chester, Pa.
Books by Stan Gale

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