It occurred to me the other day how ironic it is that churches are called “non-profit" organizations. What a gross mis-characterization! If there is any place on earth that is profitable, it is a good Bible-teaching church. I guess it all depends on how you define "profit!"
Paul said “All Scripture is inspired by God and [is] profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). And as if to underscore the materialistic, inside-out, upside-down values of our culture, Paul says: “godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8). Then, the third (and only other) time this word is used, Paul says believers “will devote themselves to doing good [because] these things are profitable…” (Tit. 3:8).
What greater indication is there of a maligned Christian culture: even the sovereign USA characterizes our churches as "non-profits"—unprofitable! Wow! Do they have it wrong!
Showing posts with label deposits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label deposits. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Investing in the Future
I’ve not posted on this blog since last Monday. As you know from my previous postings, I have returned to school (Liberty University Online) to get my Masters in Theology. (I want to be able to teach at a Bible College.) For some of you this may beg the question why someone at retirement age would be going back to school to start a new career. My answer: Is it ever too late to invest in eternity?
Maybe you haven’t thought of it, but every day you are deciding how to invest your life. And whatever you invest in has the promise of a treasure in heaven that is waiting for you—like making deposits to your eternal "bank" account. Jesus said "Don't invest in things on earth where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Invest in things in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves” (Mat. 6:19-20, author’s translation!).
As you make important educational, career, and life choices, don’t forget you are making deposits into eternity. You have one life to live. It can only be invested once. “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? ... Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days” (Is. 55:2; Ecclesiastes 11:1). If you don’t hear from me as often these days, don’t worry—I’m probably at the "bank," making some deposits.
Maybe you haven’t thought of it, but every day you are deciding how to invest your life. And whatever you invest in has the promise of a treasure in heaven that is waiting for you—like making deposits to your eternal "bank" account. Jesus said "Don't invest in things on earth where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Invest in things in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves” (Mat. 6:19-20, author’s translation!).
As you make important educational, career, and life choices, don’t forget you are making deposits into eternity. You have one life to live. It can only be invested once. “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? ... Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days” (Is. 55:2; Ecclesiastes 11:1). If you don’t hear from me as often these days, don’t worry—I’m probably at the "bank," making some deposits.
Monday, June 14, 2010
"You can take it to the bank!"
Last week Federal regulators shut down the 82nd bank of the year—surpassing last year’s 37 bank closures (by this time), already a record! Most of us don’t agonize over bank closures. We believe in their solvency & reliability—the backbone of the free market! And why shouldn’t we, when up to $250,000 of our money is insured by the FDIC in case of fraud or failure? We use the expression: “You can take it to the bank!”
“Take it to the bank” means something is absolutely and verifiably true”—originally a reference to bank checks that could certifiably be cashed in at the bank—“you could bank on it [the check].”
Now, the heretofore impossibility of an unreliable bank system seems more real than ever before. [You know where I am going with this, don’t you!] In fact, has there ever been a time when you could ‘bank on’ any earthly deposit? Everything on earth is destined for destruction. There’s only ONE bank guaranteed not to crash and burn. Only ONE account you can really bank on!
Most of us probably make less than 3 or 4 deposits a month at our local bank. But if we are not making daily deposits into our divine account (treasures in heaven), we’re likely headed for a bank failure—nothing in our account when we need it. And you can take that to the bank!
“Take it to the bank” means something is absolutely and verifiably true”—originally a reference to bank checks that could certifiably be cashed in at the bank—“you could bank on it [the check].”
Now, the heretofore impossibility of an unreliable bank system seems more real than ever before. [You know where I am going with this, don’t you!] In fact, has there ever been a time when you could ‘bank on’ any earthly deposit? Everything on earth is destined for destruction. There’s only ONE bank guaranteed not to crash and burn. Only ONE account you can really bank on!
Most of us probably make less than 3 or 4 deposits a month at our local bank. But if we are not making daily deposits into our divine account (treasures in heaven), we’re likely headed for a bank failure—nothing in our account when we need it. And you can take that to the bank!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
No Deposit; No Return
When I grew up in the 50’s, soft drinks came in glass bottles. You may be surprised to hear this, but even back then, environmentalism was an issue: a national “bottle bill” law required a minimum refundable deposit on beverage containers in order to insure a high rate of recycling and reuse. The deposit-refund system was created to guarantee the return of glass bottles to be washed, refilled, and resold.
As the post-World War II society became more convenience-oriented, there was a shift from refillable “deposit” bottles to “throw-away” bottles and cans. Without making a deposit, you could not expect a return. When this concept was first introduced, the bottles were marked “No Deposit; No Return.”
As a writer, I love to find relevant, contemporary language to illustrate spiritual principles. “No Deposit; No Return” is a great way to express the spiritual law of reciprocity. David said “Your word have I hid [deposited] in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Ps. 119:11). Depositing God’s truth in your mind is imperative if you are to recognize a lie when you hear one. How else will you discern the “false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies” (2 Peter 2:1)? Or how will you be able to "resist [the devil] in the evil day" (Eph. 6:13) as Jesus did when He said: it is written? (Matt. 4:4, 7, 10)
Paul exhorts: “be diligent to study the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15); thus building a large depository in your mind and spirit. If you don’t make the deposits, you won’t have anything there when you need it! No Deposit; No Return.
As the post-World War II society became more convenience-oriented, there was a shift from refillable “deposit” bottles to “throw-away” bottles and cans. Without making a deposit, you could not expect a return. When this concept was first introduced, the bottles were marked “No Deposit; No Return.”
As a writer, I love to find relevant, contemporary language to illustrate spiritual principles. “No Deposit; No Return” is a great way to express the spiritual law of reciprocity. David said “Your word have I hid [deposited] in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Ps. 119:11). Depositing God’s truth in your mind is imperative if you are to recognize a lie when you hear one. How else will you discern the “false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies” (2 Peter 2:1)? Or how will you be able to "resist [the devil] in the evil day" (Eph. 6:13) as Jesus did when He said: it is written? (Matt. 4:4, 7, 10)
Paul exhorts: “be diligent to study the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15); thus building a large depository in your mind and spirit. If you don’t make the deposits, you won’t have anything there when you need it! No Deposit; No Return.
Friday, June 12, 2009
You Are God's Investment
Altha and I have a couple of CDs in the bank. Over the last few years, the interest earned on our investments has dropped from over 5% to under 2%--not a very good return on our money!
In the parable of the "talents" (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus presents a picture of God as a property manager who “entrusts his possessions to his servants.” And being the successful businessman that he was, the property manager expected a maximum return on his investment. [Note: A talent was a monetary unit worth about twenty years' wages for a common day laborer.]
Far better than any monetary remuneration, God has deposited His Life in us; thereby making us His investment! Paul calls this a “treasure in earthen vessels” (2 Corinthians 4:7). God has given us ‘talents’ and time to develop them. And remarkably, the ‘return’ on God's investment is contingent upon our faith and obedience.
Wouldn’t you like to assure that God gets a good return on His investment in you?
With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard what has been [invested in] you (2 Timothy 1:14).
In the parable of the "talents" (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus presents a picture of God as a property manager who “entrusts his possessions to his servants.” And being the successful businessman that he was, the property manager expected a maximum return on his investment. [Note: A talent was a monetary unit worth about twenty years' wages for a common day laborer.]
Far better than any monetary remuneration, God has deposited His Life in us; thereby making us His investment! Paul calls this a “treasure in earthen vessels” (2 Corinthians 4:7). God has given us ‘talents’ and time to develop them. And remarkably, the ‘return’ on God's investment is contingent upon our faith and obedience.
Wouldn’t you like to assure that God gets a good return on His investment in you?
With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard what has been [invested in] you (2 Timothy 1:14).
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Time is the One Thing You can Spend, but You Can't Save
One year ago this month, I wrote in my journal “today is the first day of the rest of my life.” It was the day after I retired from my job with the Federal government.
For 25 years, I worked two jobs and never seemed to have enough time. Time was a precious commodity. And now I have time—more time than I have ever had; and I savor it! But even though I have a lot of it (my bank account is full!), I have to spend it every day: I cannot save it!
When I turned 60 I became very conscious that I have much less time ahead of me than behind me. And it has made me conscious of “spending” my time wisely. How? I “spend” my time on people: investing in people. These are good deposits that will go into my ‘heavenly’ account!
But you don’t have to be “old” like me to value your time. I know two young men who are currently “under-employed,” and waiting for God to open the next door of opportunity. They have time on their hands. They can be bored and restless, or they can enjoy this "season" by spending this “spare time” on making deposits, good investments into their heavenly account.
It’s possible to waste your time, ‘waiting’ for the next opportunity, but miss the one right in front of you today. Every day God gives you opportunities to “spend” your time on something eternal.
The Psalmist said: “Teach us to number our days”.
Paul said, “Buy up the time [use it wisely] because the days are evil.”
Herb Caen said: “Live every day as if it’s your last. One day you’ll be right!
For 25 years, I worked two jobs and never seemed to have enough time. Time was a precious commodity. And now I have time—more time than I have ever had; and I savor it! But even though I have a lot of it (my bank account is full!), I have to spend it every day: I cannot save it!
When I turned 60 I became very conscious that I have much less time ahead of me than behind me. And it has made me conscious of “spending” my time wisely. How? I “spend” my time on people: investing in people. These are good deposits that will go into my ‘heavenly’ account!
But you don’t have to be “old” like me to value your time. I know two young men who are currently “under-employed,” and waiting for God to open the next door of opportunity. They have time on their hands. They can be bored and restless, or they can enjoy this "season" by spending this “spare time” on making deposits, good investments into their heavenly account.
It’s possible to waste your time, ‘waiting’ for the next opportunity, but miss the one right in front of you today. Every day God gives you opportunities to “spend” your time on something eternal.
The Psalmist said: “Teach us to number our days”.
Paul said, “Buy up the time [use it wisely] because the days are evil.”
Herb Caen said: “Live every day as if it’s your last. One day you’ll be right!
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