Eternal Portfolio
"Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, not to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Ahhh, this is what I needed to hear after yesterday's smack in the face. Here Paul explains that in being rich with good deeds we are storing up for ourselves in the eternal realm. So now, it's evident that I am extremely selfish as a reward makes the doing more worth my time....oh, well. It's God's plan right? He knew it would work on me (and most of the rest of mankind).
Doing good has immediate blessing on many occasions. If that weren't enough, God adds to it in our eternal inheritance. Men and women spend lifetimes building up an inheritance in this world. Then they die and don't get to enjoy the bounties of their labor. How much more energy should we spend building an inheritance for the afterlife, where we will have plenty of time to enjoy the fruit of our labor?
I think if I have this eternal inheritance down, the previous portion of this passage will be easy. Not trusting in money, but in the Living God will be a natural notion. Earlier in chapter six, Paul also says, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain." When I am building for the eternal, contentment and godliness are natural.
I like this way of looking at life and what I have and how I use it. I can use my life's work as a portfolio and see how I am growing my eternal investments. Do I have a healthy portfolio? What can I trade, or add to make it more productive? It's time to streamline my efforts, I don't know how much longer I have to invest!
I gotta go! I need to start working on my eternal portfolio.
God, grant me an opportunity today to serve you with good works. Help me to trust in You and You alone. Change my perspective about the money I have in the bank, so that I am truly willing to share with others. Loosen my grasp on what is mine that I would consider all things Yours. Thank You for your perfect plan and including me!
Amen.
Ahhh, this is what I needed to hear after yesterday's smack in the face. Here Paul explains that in being rich with good deeds we are storing up for ourselves in the eternal realm. So now, it's evident that I am extremely selfish as a reward makes the doing more worth my time....oh, well. It's God's plan right? He knew it would work on me (and most of the rest of mankind).
Doing good has immediate blessing on many occasions. If that weren't enough, God adds to it in our eternal inheritance. Men and women spend lifetimes building up an inheritance in this world. Then they die and don't get to enjoy the bounties of their labor. How much more energy should we spend building an inheritance for the afterlife, where we will have plenty of time to enjoy the fruit of our labor?
I think if I have this eternal inheritance down, the previous portion of this passage will be easy. Not trusting in money, but in the Living God will be a natural notion. Earlier in chapter six, Paul also says, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain." When I am building for the eternal, contentment and godliness are natural.
I like this way of looking at life and what I have and how I use it. I can use my life's work as a portfolio and see how I am growing my eternal investments. Do I have a healthy portfolio? What can I trade, or add to make it more productive? It's time to streamline my efforts, I don't know how much longer I have to invest!
I gotta go! I need to start working on my eternal portfolio.
God, grant me an opportunity today to serve you with good works. Help me to trust in You and You alone. Change my perspective about the money I have in the bank, so that I am truly willing to share with others. Loosen my grasp on what is mine that I would consider all things Yours. Thank You for your perfect plan and including me!
Amen.
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