Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Bank of Heaven

Where do you do your banking? Bank of America, Western State Bank, People's National Bank, Farmer's and Merchant's Bank, First National Bank are just a few of hundreds of banks that are out there, especially when it comes to a "local" bank. How secure are these banks? They may have the latest lines of defense to cause them to be secure, but for every security plan out there a thief is trying to break through it. This could make you not feel that secure.

With all the breaches in security that could come about on any given day, it is a great relief to know that there is still one place that is the most secure...heaven. What you "deposit" there cannot be taken. When you place your belief in the promises of God, those cannot be broken into.

I feel pretty secure in my home, but it would only take one time for someone to break in for me to be very nervous about the possibility of a second time (or even a third time). After having our car broken into once and my church office on another occasion, I have been through the feeling of "lack of security" and it isn't enjoyable.

It has been said that we can lose "things" but we'll always have it as a memory. That is a much more secure place, however, there is a more secure place - heaven - and that is what we talked about this week in our lesson. Here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

  • Learn From the Past ~ Have you ever had something "broken into" or "stolen?" Maybe it wasn't just your locker, car, or house. Maybe it was in a relationship. Could have been a romantic relationship that you though was secure. But come to find out the other person did something to rock that relationship. Maybe they did something behind your back or took away your trust. Maybe it was a biological relationship that you thought was secure. Your parents got a divorce. You were the victim of abuse (physical, sexual, or psychological). All of these things are areas that will cause you to think your security is not that secure. Hopefully, they will cause you to look to heaven and not to anything on earth for security.
  • Prioritize Your Treasure ~ If you haven't seen a show called "Hoarders," you ought to some time. I've never watched a whole episode. People on there have so much stuff around their house it isn't even funny. When you have to turn sideways to go down your hall or move stuff around in your room just to go to bed then you have definite problems. Not to mention the ones with bug or mice issues. One of the main issues is that they prioritize EVERYTHING. The principle here is not so much on the "things" but where the "things" line up accord to God. Make sure He is above everything!
  • Stay Focused ~ When I was playing baseball, specifically as a pitcher, the key is to not "aim" but rather "throw to the glove." Where your eyes are headed your body will follow. Symbolically when you are looking at something you like, you will pursue it - whether it is being pursued with your legs or your attention.

As you think about where you're going to "bank" the great suggestion is to use the "bank" of heaven for the greatest security!

3 comments:

Lynn Hare said...

It seems like the days I get behind on getting rid of clutter are those I spend on the real treasure - family and friends. I try to maintain a balance.

Jarrod, what do you think is the spiritual parallel of money invested in savings at a bank? What is the spiritual parallel of the interest earned there?

Unknown said...

Lynn ~

Great question. Initially, I didn't have a clue, but after thinking about it, here are my thoughts (it may still sound clueless).

First question...Jesus says in Matthew 6 to not store up treasure on earth, but in heaven. I was thinking that the Israelites were to gather manna for six days. But on the last day they were to pick up double the amount for the seventh day (Sabbath). My thought is that we are going to need to put money into savings for "another day." Saving for the future is valuable.

Second question...I don't know if I see a spiritual parallel with the interest earned off of a savings. I think it may be simply a "land" benefit, not a "heavenly" one. I only thought about the idea of "earning interest" when it came to the parable of the talents but that's it.

Lynn Hare said...

Thanks - that's good. Here is one possible interpretation. I wonder if the treasure in heaven that we're storing is possibly people - those who commit their lives to Christ.

If the "treasure" is those we reach with intentionality, then is it possible that "interest" could be those who are initially spectators/observers, and pick up the gospel along the way (such as coworkers or children who watching us as examples and are drawn to Christ by our lives)?