Monday, April 22: Matthew 6– My Heavenly 401k…

I found myself thinking about treasures in heaven… But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (20-21).

Each month I put some money aside for my retirement years when I will not be earning enough money to cover living expenses. It is fiscally responsible to do this and I am glad we have retirement vehicles like IRAs and 401ks to use for retirement savings.

As I ponder the idea of storing up ‘treasures in heaven’ an analogy might be establishing a “heavenly 401k.” And if I am reading this chapter correctly when I:

·         give as Jesus suggests – to the needy quietly and without public fanfare- and

·         pray as Jesus directs –privately and to the point as in the Lord’s prayer- and

·         fast as Jesus teaches –personally and invisibly-

then each time I engage in one of these activities I am making deposits into my heavenly 401k. Hmmm, this analogy drives some further thoughts and questions…

I am going to live in heaven a lot longer than I will on earth, so why don’t I give as much or more diligence to building my ‘heavenly 401k’ as I do my earthly one?

Would I be wise to alter my investment strategy, moving investments from my earthly 401k and depositing more money in my heavenly 401k (i.e. giving more money away to the needy and Christ advancing causes and less to my retirement)?

Should I determine a consistent pattern for heavenly 401k investment? My mind plays with investing strategies like daily prayer, monthly giving and weekly fasting. I have never thought about prayer, fasting and giving as investments.  It is giving me a whole new vista into this aspect of my faith life.

My thought kept churning. I have only posted a few of my ideas, which I hope spark your own thinking on this matte.

Spirit, I thank You for the churnings within me this morning. Help me, I pray, to sort out what You would have me do with this new way of considering the disciplines of fasting, prayer and giving. For Your glory alone, I pray through Jesus, my Lord. Amen.