What does it mean to earn
returns? To earn returns means to gain
or receive profit on a committed capital (an investment). Usually, the capital and the gains earned
belong to the individual who provided the capital.
Although whatever we own
belongs to God (we are simply stewards- Ps 24:1); we can legally earn returns
on it for ourselves. You might ask, “How in the world can anyone
gain returns on what belongs to another person?” Well, in God’s economy it is very simple. Spend God’s money and resources wisely and
generously; don’t be stingy, and the returns will pile up for you in heaven (Lk
18:22). What a brilliant idea! After all, earthly riches are temporary; no moving trucks will accompany us when we die.
Paul said to the young
preacher, Timothy, “Command them (the rich) to do good, to be rich in good
deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
In this way they will lay up treasures for themselves as a firm
foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is
truly life” (1 Tim 6:18-19).
In the parable of the Shrewd
Manager (Lk 16:1-9), the manager was illegally using his boss’ money; defrauding
him, with the hope of personal gains in the future, but in our case as
Christians, we have God’s permission to use all that He has entrusted to us,
for His glory, and for our benefit (Mt 6:19-20).
So what are you doing with what God has
entrusted to you? Are you holding on to
it, tightly? Remember, “Whoever sows
sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap
generously” (2 Cor 9:6). So let it go,
it is not yours anyway; allow it to work for your future! Are you asking, “How”? This is how, meet the needs you see around you, give to
God’s work, and Jesus’ response to you will be, “I was hungry and you gave me
something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a
stranger and you took me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick
and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Mt
25:35-36).
If we don’t invest what God
has entrusted to us now, we cannot hope for any future returns. If you’d like to hear God say to you, “Well
done good and faithful servant! You have
been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master’s happiness” (Mt
25:21), then consider this: START PUTTING GOD’S RESOURCES TO WORK, to benefit others!
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