THE SAFEST BANK

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. Bot store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.

Jesus had a lot to say about money and possessions. He knew that money plays a very big part in our lives. He also knew that people find it very difficult to part with their money. We are naturally selfish and greedy. This is the nature we have inherited from Adam. Only Jesus can change our hearts. One of the evidences of a changed heart is our willingness to share with others.

What did He mean when He said we must store up treasure in heaven? When we share our money and possessions with people in need, we create a heavenly bank account into which we make deposits every time we give. When we are in need, we are free to ask the Lord for help because we have a bank account from which we can make withdrawals.

Now we are not speaking literally. There is no “Bank of Heaven” in the heavenly Jerusalem but what Jesus was saying was that when we share with others we create a current which keeps money circulating. We give to others in need so that the money will come back to us to meet our needs. If we hoard our money or spend it all, it will never become more.

Another way that the Bible talks about money is “sowing and reaping.” Our money is also a seed. When we plant a seed, we don’t only expect a plant to grow. We also expect it to produce more seeds so that we can plant again. How silly a farmer would be if he ate his seed instead of keeping some to sow again!

In the same way, God gives us seed to eat and seed to plant so that we will have a harvest next year. If we use all our money selfishly and never give any of it away, we will have no harvest next year. It doesn’t matter how much or how little you have to begin with, you can only reap more if you sow some.

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹ You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11

People who are greedy are said to have “an evil eye”. They never see beyond themselves. They are only concerned with their own needs. If your eye is “good”, Jesus said, your whole body will be full of light. You will be able to look beyond yourself and be generous to people in need.

It impossible to serve God and money. Money will either be your servant or your master. It cannot be both. If money is your servant, you will be free to tell is what to do. If money is your master, you will be a slave to money. It will tell you what to do. A person is only free when he can tell his money what to do. Eventually, Jesus said, you will serve the one you love the most.

When Jesus lives in us, and we learn to be givers, not takers, we will be set free from slavery to money. We will have a bank account in heaven which will always have something in it to draw from when we are in need if we continually make deposits to give to others who need our help.

“Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38.

Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.