Investment Mortgage Guy

In Mathew 6:19, Jesus states “Stop storing up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. For many, this statement begs the question, should I not be saving for my retirement?  In my opinion, this statement is not as much a call to never save again but is a warning that storing up treasures here on earth is very short-term thinking.  First, I do believe the bible is clear that we are to be good stewards with our money and are called to invest it and save it wisely. (See the parable of the talents Mathew 25: 14-30). I think Jesus is trying to convey two major points here in this passage. First, you can’t take it with you.  I believe that through faith in Jesus Christ we will have eternal life, thus the 100 or so years we spend here in earth is a drop in the bucket. It’s a like the blink of eye. None of us, I believe will be able to take our earthly possessions with us into heaven. If you were on a vacation in a foreign land and given expensive gifts but you were not allowed to bring anything back with you on the plane,  what would you do? You may consider sending the items on ahead in the mail. This is what Jesus is trying to tell us, none of our possessions can come with us when we die, but there are ways to store up our treasures in heaven (or send things on ahead).  One way to do so is to be big givers. I believe that those who give in the greatest proportion of their income are storing up for themselves treasures in heaven. The second point I think Jesus is trying to make is to not put all your hope in your treasures on earth. This last year of our economy has proven to be a tough one. Many people that thought they were set for retirement found themsleves in a very tough predicament. Several lost their retirement completely. (though various Ponzi schemes). I believe that no matter how secure you believe your retirement or future to be, it can always be lost. Putting your hope (or faith) in this, is not how you are supposed to live. Your faith (and hope) has to be focused  on your eternal life in Christ. 

In conclusion, don’t quit saving or stop planning for retirement, but place your hope firmly in the Lord and let him guide you path. Below is a chapter in the bible that perfectly describes this:

Psalm 49

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

 ¹ Hear this, all you peoples;
       listen, all who live in this world,

 ² both low and high,
       rich and poor alike:

 ³ My mouth will speak words of wisdom;
       the utterance from my heart will give understanding.

 ⁴ I will turn my ear to a proverb;
       with the harp I will expound my riddle:

 ⁵ Why should I fear when evil days come,
       when wicked deceivers surround me-

 ⁶ those who trust in their wealth
       and boast of their great riches?

 ⁷ No man can redeem the life of another
       or give to God a ransom for him-

 ⁸ the ransom for a life is costly,
       no payment is ever enough-

 ⁹ that he should live on forever
       and not see decay.

 ¹⁰ For all can see that wise men die;
       the foolish and the senseless alike perish
       and leave their wealth to others. 

 ¹¹ Their tombs will remain their houses  forever,
       their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves.

¹² But man,   despite his riches, does not endure;  he is like the beasts that perish.

¹³ This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
       and of their followers, who approve their sayings.
       Selah  

¹⁴ Like sheep they are destined for the grave, 
       and death will feed on them.
       The upright will rule over them in the morning;
       their forms will decay in the grave,  
       far from their princely mansions.

 ¹⁵ But God will redeem my life from the grave;
       he will surely take me to himself.
       Selah

 ¹⁶ Do not be overawed when a man grows rich,
       when the splendor of his house increases;

 ¹⁷ for he will take nothing with him when he dies,
       his splendor will not descend with him.

 ¹⁸ Though while he lived he counted himself blessed—
       and men praise you when you prosper-

 ¹⁹ he will join the generation of his fathers,
       who will never see the light of life .

 ²⁰ A man who has riches without understanding
       is like the beasts that perish.

Rob Bonahoom

Mortgage Coach