Investment

Fall is beautiful! It’s also the best time for outdoor planting. With this knowledge, and our need for grass we put an entire new yard in. We purchased a huge amount of good top soil and my husband diligently spread it. We hired out an excavation company for a final grade. This made it as smooth as glass. Then he gently planted and raked in lots of expensive seed and fertilizer. The day my husband finished, it looked truly perfect. Rich black soil. Flat. Flawless. We were excited for the rain that same evening to moisten the ground and start the germination. Except it wasn’t a light rain, it was an unexpected torrential thunderstorm. And within only minutes there was more water than the ground could absorb. It started pooling followed by flooding. Then like a well formed river the water quickly flowed out of our yard carrying away the soil, seed and fertilizer. We walked from window to window watching in disbelief. Our hope for green grass eroded away right along with our financial investment.

I spent some time working in the Investment Industry. Every client investment must be followed by lots of disclaimers such as “no guarantee”, “subject to risk” and “possible loss.” All alarming messages. Thankfully I know someone who has a better message. Jesus says, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:20) Our heavenly assets are fully guaranteed with no risk and no loss. So what is this heavenly treasure and how do we lay it up? Well, it’s different for each one of us. We all have eternal contributions that we can make right now. Things that may have no worth to the world, but are valuable to God. Whatever it may be for you then make the most of your opportunity. For example, I know I need to invest in the spiritual lives of my children. It’s heavenly work. It won’t improve their standardized test scores or even the worlds opinion of them. Yet it’s treasure laid up for heaven. This life is short and we must not delay. Invest now! Jesus is clear that the good things we do here will not be in vain.

In case your wondering, my hard working husband did his best to repair our yard. Although It’s not perfect anymore, it is a perfect reminder of what is.