A Good Investment

I was asked over the telephone if I wanted to make some extra money
from the comfort of my own home and maybe even become financially
independent someday.  I told the caller that I had enough money and
was not interested in taking on an additional job.  My current job
provides my family with enough to allow us to minister to others. When
I mentioned ministry, I was told that I could help more people with
the extra cash I would make.  Even materialism can be made to sound
noble.
 
A friend said to me, "I want to spend time with my family but I also
want to provide a decent income. Somehow the two appear
incompatable. Any pearls of wisdom?"  I asked what he considered a
"decent" income because there is a difference between providing for
one's family and investing in one's family.  Keeping the proper
perspective on the material things of life is important.
 
Jesus told a story about a man who spent much of his energy on
accumulating wealth to create a "comfortable" existence for himself.
The man worked hard to earn "enough for years to come" and felt that
he deserved to ease back for the rest of his days. (Luke 12:16-21)
 
In another story, Jesus told of three servants who were given money
and the responsibility to invest it while the Master was away.  Two
servants worked hard to earn more of the Master's money.  The third
servant buried the money.  (Mt 25:14-28)
 
The important element in both of these stories is not the wealth or
possessions a person accumulates but the attitude one has toward such
things. Nowhere do these passages imply that we should live on a
subsistence income and not enjoy any of the luxuries of life.
 
In the first story, the last verse is key to the PROPER FOCUS that we
must have towards wealth, namely: being rich TOWARD GOD instead of
storing treasure FOR HIMSELF. God gave the man who worked for his ease
a chilling reprimand, saying "Thou fool!"
 
In the second story, the master called the man who buried the His
money "wicked" and punished him because he took no risks with the
amount that was given to him, even though he returned what he had
received.
 
God invests His currency in us and expects us to use it to increase
his investment. We have the responsibility to use the Master's wealth
on things of eternal consequence and earn a profit. And whether we are
given much or little, we also have the privilege of enjoying the
things that the Master has placed in our charge.
 
I have more than some and less than others.  I suppose I could take on
that second job and bring home more money, but I would rather possess
things then be possessed by them.  And most of all, I want God to
think of me as a good investment.