Heavenly Investments

When we give, the blessings we receive outweigh our original investment. Jesus put it this way: “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 that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)

When Debbie Fields (Mrs. Fields Cookies) opened her first store she was anxious to get her first customer. Her impatience led her to step outside with a tray of fresh-baked cookies and start giving away samples. Many people decided to buy the cookies they sampled. Debbie discovered that giving and receiving are often connected.

The Apostle Paul was impressed with the sacrificial giving of the Philippians. They gave from their poverty not from their abundance. He wrote to them, “Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.” (Philippians 4:17)

I guess if you can’t take it with you, you can send it on ahead. Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20)

Charitable giving is not only tax deductible but also, according to the Bible, a heavenly investment. James L. Kraft, founder of Kraft Foods, gave 25% of his fortune to Christian causes for many years. He said, “The only investment I ever made which has paid consistently increasing dividends is the money that I have given to the Lord.”

Are you investing enough to get a healthy return? A wealthy but stingy woman died and went to heaven. She was told that she would be taken to the house, which had been prepared for her. She passed by many beautiful mansions but her house was small and rundown. She complained and protested, but she was told, “I’m sorry, but this is all we could do for you with the materials you sent up.”

“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” (I Timothy 6:18-19)