SAVED AND SAVINGS

There's something inside that urges us to save, store, hoard, and stockpile. Many considered it a virtue to save money and stockpile bombs. We're constantly "saving for a rainy day" while millions starve because of drought and war. The Lord's words to the man who stored up his harvest were: "You fool! This very night your life shall be required of you. To whom will all this piled-up wealth of yours go?" (Lk 12:20) How can we save our money when others need immediate emergency aid? Don't we trust our Abba for our daily bread? (Mt 6:11)

However, the Lord does encourage us to store up treasure in heaven (Mt 6:20). We should have plenty of the oil of holiness so we're ready to meet Jesus the Bridegroom, even if He tarries till the midnight hour (Mt 25:6). In our earthen vessels, we are to store up the treasure of a deep, strongly committed life in the Spirit (2 Cor 4:7). We should have a whole wardrobe of righteousness and clothe ourselves "with heartfelt mercy, with kindness, humility, meekness, and patience" (Col 3:12).

Don't "save for a rainy day"; save for Judgment Day. Double your talents (Mt 25:20), bear the hundredfold harvest (Mk 4:20), and come before the Lord bearing the gifts of a life fruitful for His kingdom.