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GIVE“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” – Psalm 24:1
Have you ever watched the TV program Shark Tank? It is a show about five human sharks, the kind that are very good at negotiating deals to their advantage and others in creating great personal wealth. The premise of the show is that an individual brings a particular idea for a business, such as a new invention or a new way of performing a service, etc. into the shark tank, and then they try to negotiate a deal which will be beneficial for the growth of his or her company.
The shark tank is made up of five very successful people who have made millions and billions of dollars for themselves and for others by skillfully negotiating themselves into advantageous positions of partial or complete control of companies that they have determined were viable operations that showed considerable growth potential. They made deals with people who they see as good partners who will work hard 24/7 to make both them, and the shares, money.
The sharks rarely negotiate a deal if they detected unreasonable pride, poor preparation, or half hearted commitment, or all three of them. This is a very profound lesson for all of us. Is God going to entrust us with His wealth, His investment, if we are not going to submit to His expertise, and be a 24/7 partner in living as He lives.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:19, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal” – that is, where your money cannot be destroyed, where the things that you buy or the things you invest in cannot become ineffective. “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20) where you know that your investment is certain and where you know the dividends are going to be paid right on time. God’s investment program offers each of us a deal no shark could ever hope to match. There are no times of low sales or low revenue or profit. With God it is always a bull market. “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29)
Getting a grip on God’s great and loving investment in us should motivate us to gladly consider making His sacrifice rich in dividends of our money, time and talents. God doesn’t want your faith to be tied to the Shark Tank. Or to the S&P 500. Or even to a local bank. God wants you to trust deeply in Him. He will provide for all of your needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). I know that’s true. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 says, “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
God makes an incredible investment in His time and energies over our lives How much do we consider the investment in us that God has made? Are we willing to work 24/7 to protect God’s investment and make His purpose a reality in us?
Discussion Questions:
- Can we realistically make a return on God’s investment in our lives?
- Are you a cheerful giver? Or do you find yourself reluctant to be generous?
- Do you struggle with needing to see the immediate impact of your gift? If so, how do we become cheerful givers who don’t need to see the impact?
- Hebrews 13:5 tells us:”Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Are you content with what you have?