Friday, October 5, 2007
SAVING FOR RETIREMENT
What is more important to you? Earthly money or heavenly riches?
Most of us understand the importance of saving up for retirement. You need to start saving while you are young and can work so that when you are older and maybe not as capable, you can live off what you have saved. Often in our life we are faced with choices. Should I buy that boat I really want or should I put the money away and save for my retirement? Which is more important? We often have to make choices like this -- enjoy the present or save for the future. But Christ asks us to look even farther into the future.
"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" (Matthew 6:19-20).
Christ says we need to plan ahead not just for our retirement, but afterwards -- for that eternal life that awaits us on the other side of the grave. "What's more important to you," Jesus asks, "laboring for money which you will be able to enjoy for 70, 80 years or . . . the rewards I have come to give you that will last for all eternity?"
What is more important to you? Earthly money or heavenly riches?
