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In Order. My Investment

May 27, 2017. I Chronicles 26-29; Psalm 127.

 

Have you ever gotten a great stock investment tip but were just a little skeptical that it would really give the return it promised? Like when Apple, Amazon or Google first hit the market?  Don’t feel badly you are not the only one who wished they made the investment when they had the opportunity.

David is aged and soon will die. His dream of building a house for God will not be realized in his lifetime. However God promised David that his son Solomon would build a temple for Him. David knew that this was a once in a life time opportunity that would pay dividends in eternity. So david gave what some estimate to be upwards of 17 Billion dollars by todays standards. Then he makes this challenge to the people.

I Chronicles 29.5

Now then, who will follow my example and give offerings to the Lord today?”

Anyone? 

Sure we probably cant give as much as David but we can give with the same heart as David.

2 Using every resource at my command, I have gathered as much as I could for building the Temple of my God.

How can we be generous even though we may not “be that rich.” David understood a principle that I think would help us all when it comes to being generous to the work of God.

14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you have already given us! 

Do you see God’s pattern of giving and receiving? 

    Everything belongs to God

    Everything comes from God

    Everything is dispersed by God

16 "O Lord our God, even these materials that we have gathered to build a Temple to honor your holy name come from you! It all belongs to you! 17 I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously.

The Principle: God owns everything and has given us his stuff and we should manage God’s stuff with the goals that God has in mind for his stuff. Our heart attitude should be “Thank you for this stuff what would you like me to do with what you have given me.”

Financial planners tell us "when it come to your money don't just think just 3 days ahead, or 3 months or 3 years. Think 30 years." God, the ultimate investment counselor, takes it one step further. "Ask, how will this investment be paying off in thirty million years?”

Five minutes after we die we'll know exactly how we should have lived. But then it will be too late to go back and change anything. God has given us his Word so we don't have to wait until we die to know how we should have lived. 

You and I have on life on earth to invest in heaven. Let's not miss the opportunity.

“Heavenly Father all that I have is a gift from you. My money, job, family, talents and ability all belong to you. Thank you for trusting me with so much! Today I will be led by your Spirit to see the opportunity to freely and joyously invest in you kingdom as you show me the investment opportunity. May I live a generous life that will pay spiritual dividends long after I am gone.”

Sal Sberna

Sal Sberna was Lead Pastor at The MET Church in Houston, Texas for 20 years. He retired on February 2015. He and Kristi Sberna have been married since 1981. They have two children, Salvatore and...more