Christian Wealth Management
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
So, once again, there it is…a gentle admonition to always lead with and pursue the nature of God’s “heart” when considering life choices and related investments. Such, however, begs the question: Then what about those changes and challenges that are forcibly wrought upon us – not by our choice, but by cruelty and imposition?
As we have often written to you and our other persecution partners through The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, those in peril for their professed faith in Jesus Christ are equally implored by us to follow God’s heart regarding any expectation of temporal wealth or future “return on investment.” In fact, it is most common that God’s heart is the only refuge for our brothers and sisters as they cling to the timeless and limitless truths assured in God’s Holy Word and quoted herein. All other tangible assets of the afflicted are separated from these faithful souls who then rely solely on God’s promises, “underground churches,” and organizations such as VOMC to survive.
If this, and Matthew’s inspired direction above, were true, then it would follow that those who have been abused, and/or disenfranchised from their homes and threatened ministries, are most reliant upon every word and promise uttered in Scripture. As we read in Acts 20:24 (a book presumably authored by Luke), through God’s grace, they continued in the faith.
“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
Therefore, by this text, and the promise of “finishing the race with joy,” one realizes the author has captured the essence of the “suffering and joy” balance by releasing his treasure (the entirety of earthly assets) into Christ’s service as he pursues God’s heart.
And now the mystery…. You may recall us delving into this wonderful truth in previous articles and commentaries. Even though all assets are taken in acts of persecution, and many family members and church constituents experience abuse and removal from active service, God fulfills His promises to the faithful, energizing them with an unexplainable “joy”…a “joy” that by His words is only found at the foot of Christ’s cross.
“…let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
Today’s major financial institutions define “loss” in terms of money, gold, securities, and other tangible material and negotiable instruments. Today, though imaginary, we often think we can hear Reverend Richard Wurmbrand (VOMC’s founder and extended torture victim for Christ) singing joyfully in his solitary cell. Mysteriously, we know by his writings that he found such joy at the foot of the cross. No other vantage and security can offer such a non-corruptible and high-yield return on the investment of one’s life. What joy there is in Jesus!
- Doug
