The 5 Essentials of StewardshipMostră

The Fifth Essential: Invest in Eternity

Remember the story of Enron? At one point, the company was a stock market darling. Everyone seemed to be making money. The investors piled on. But eventually, the good times ended, and the stock price crashed after the disclosures of Enron’s fraudulent accounting practices.

Imagine if someone came to you and said, “Would you like to invest in Enron stock?” Assuming you knew about the fraud and that the stock price would soon crash, would you invest?

Of course not. 

It’s easy to make that investment when the reviews are glowing and it appears all shiny and new. But if you knew the company was going to be riddled with strife, lawsuits and ultimately bankruptcy, you would never make that investment. You’d be crazy to invest in a company that you knew was going to fail.

And that’s the point Jesus drives home in Matthew 6: 

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

Investing in the things of this earth is like investing in Enron stock—you know it’s going to fail, so why make the investment? On the other hand, investing in heaven is a foolproof investment—it won’t rust, fade or disappear.

As Jesus closes his admonition to invest, and to invest rightly, he offers a final guideline, a litmus test. He states plainly, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).

Why is this a final litmus test? Jesus recognizes that, notwithstanding all of his investment advice, this is a heart issue. We invest in what we value. Our value is reflected in our investment. Jesus wants our heart. When he asks for our stewardship, he asks for our love.

Questions for Reflection

1. Describe your picture of heaven. Does that serve as motivation for you? 

2. How do you respond to the litmus test of Matthew 6:21? If others were to look at your life, what would they say is your treasure?

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