Dear friends,
Last night, there was news that First Republic Bank will be taken over by the FDIC. Go here for more on the story.
If you’ve read my book, “Choose Stocks Wisely,” and followed my blogging for a while, you know my worldview is through the lens of my relationship with Jesus Christ. I trust in Him and believe His Word, the Bible.
The bank failure news several weeks ago on Silicon Valley Bank and last night on First Republic Bank makes me think about the Words of Jesus found in the sixth chapter of Matthew. Jesus said in verses 19-21:
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Bible, NIV)
In this earthly life, we can do everything we know to make good decisions concerning the management of life’s affairs, including finances. Yet, we know that we can’t have absolute assurance of a favorable outcome. Still, we all need to have a very certain hope that we are indeed secure come what may.
In that Matthew passage above, Jesus says that whatever we store up in heaven will not be lost — ever. If what I stake my life on now is not able to secure my eternity, it’s only a false sense of security because this earthly life is temporary. If what I trust in is able to secure my eternity with God in heaven, my sense of security here on earth becomes certain too, regardless of this world’s ups and downs. Jesus said in the gospel of John, chapter 3, vs. 16:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
The object of my trust isn’t a “what,” but a “who,” namely Jesus Christ. Jesus died for my sin (all of it, past, present and future) to bring me forgiveness, and then arose, defeating eternal death for me, and assuring me that I’ll be raised to enjoy eternity with Him. Note that the promise of eternal life in John 3:16 is made to anyone in the world who will believe in Jesus Christ. That’s what the verse says; I can plug my name in place of “world.” You can plug yours in. God’s love in giving Jesus to rescue us forever is that personal.
So, I’ll listen to and follow what Jesus says and take an eternal perspective on living this earthly life amid bank failures and all else. I’ll live my life daily hearing His Word, the Bible, and following Him. In doing so, I’m investing my heart with Christ, and storing up my treasure in the Bank of Heaven, where there will be a sure return. May God use the message of this post and encourage you.
Till next time,
Paul
Amen! Paul, you are wiser than any of the TV pundits about finance—but with articles like this (which I support) you can be assured that the odds of you ever being interviewed on MSNBC (or any worldly finance program) are about the same as a camel going through the eye of a needle!
Thanks, Steve, for the very kind compliment!! Thanks too for supporting and encouraging me toward posting what’s on my heart. If I was on MSNBC, no one would remember it a few days later. But there are things to do or say that can he seen or heard that can last. The Apostle Paul says in Ephesians to redeem the time. I hope my posts will be of help and matter here.
Thanks again, dear friend!
Thank you for sharing Dr Paul!
You’re welcome, Dustin. I surely appreciate the encouragement!
Amen