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Malachi 3:10 and Isaiah 44:3
How many of us are investing in our future retirement? I asked
this question at our recent Rhema breakfast. I had a predictable
mixed response ranging from no, perhaps and yes. Often our response
to that question will vary according to our age and our priorities
in life.
Many Christians fail to realise that investing
in the future should be high on their list of priorities. Throughout
the scriptures there is a consistent message of investing in the
future. Noah invested approximately 120 years of his life in the
building of the Ark to save mankind. Joseph invested in the future
and saved the great nation Egypt and his family from starvation.
King David prepared all the materials for the construction of
the temple in preparation for his son to build. In the parable
of the talents we see the wise investment of two men and in the
parable of the ten virgins we are told of how five virgins who
were prudent enough to bring extra oil ready for a long wait.
In the book of Acts we read of the apostles investing in the development
and training of church leaders. Each of these stories in the old
and new testament and many more reveal the importance of investing
in the future.
Unfortunately, some sincere Christians pray that
as long as they have enough money for the day they are satisfied.
On the surface this prayer appears to be scripturally sound but
sadly it is far from the truth. This type of prayer is selfish
because it does not allow the opportunity for the individual to
be a blessing for others or in the future. In Malachi 3:10 it
says; “ ...and will pour out for you a blessing until
it overflows.” Have you ever wondered why God declares
that He will give us an excess of more than we need or contain?
So we can bless others with our surplus. We need to change our
prayers from asking God to supply our immediate needs to providing
us with more so we can be a blessing to others. This is how we
can begin to invest in the future.
The provision of God is not just for here and
now it is for our future generations. In 1959 a group of men and
women from all different denominations came together and decided
to invest in the future of Sydney by reaching out to the families
with the Gospel. They invested their time and their money to sponsor
the Billy Graham crusade. As a result of this crusade many people
in Sydney came to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Christians
were challenged to go door to door to share their faith and as
a result of this many more came to know Christ including my parents.
Today, you too have just been impacted by the Billy Graham crusade.
Forty-eight years on and still many more people are being touched
the Billy Graham crusades because a group of Christians decided
to invest in the future.
When we give it is not just so that we can be
blessed here and now but to also bless our children’s children.
Isaiah 44:3 reads; “ for I will give you abundant water
… and I will pour out my spirit and my blessing on your
children.” Agree with us in prayer that the Lord will
provide us more than we need so that we can bless future generations.
PK
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