Thomasville First United Methodist Church

Home \ Sermons

Walk His Way - He Invested	« Previous \| Results \| Next »
Listen \| Download
Download: Audio \| Notes
May 17, 2009 Sunday - AM	By Chris Goff

Walk His Way: Jesus Invested

Matthew 6:19-21

Preached by Chris Goff on May 17, 2009

Good morning! We’re currently in the middle of our sermon series entitled, Walk His Way, in which we’re looking at the life of Jesus as an example for us to follow. Now, when we think of Jesus, it’s easy to picture:

Jesus the healer
Jesus the teacher
Jesus the carpenter

But what about Jesus the investor? That one doesn’t come as easily. But the truth is that Jesus was a wise investor. In fact, I would say that he was a genius when it came to investing. So far in this series we’ve talked about that fact that Jesus prayed and Jesus included others, but this morning we’re going to talk about the fact that Jesus invested. Then we’ll answer the question: How can I follow his example.

Now I don’t know about you, but when it comes to the world of investing I can easily get lost. I know people who are good at this stuff and when they begin to talk of…

Variable annuities
Dollar cost averaging
Derivatives

…my eyes glaze over and I begin to feel like I’ve crossed over the border into another country where I don’t speak the language. I might smile and nod, but they might as well be speaking Portuguese. From an outsiders perspective, investing sounds like complicated stuff. You’ve got to know what you’re doing if you’re going to be an investor.

That’s supposed to be the whole point of the E-trade baby commercials. Perhaps you’ve seen E-trades commercials featuring a talking baby sitting at the computer trading stocks online. The point is, with E-trade investing is so easy, even a baby can do it.

I think I agree with them, at least in part. You see, investing is easy. In fact, it’s practically automatic. Whether you call yourself an investor or not, all of you are investing in something:

Children
Home
Friendships
Your financial security
Your physical comfort

Each of us quite naturally pours ourselves and our resources into something. So the question is not really how easy or difficult it is to invest, but rather, are you investing wisely?

You see, we often talk of investing strictly in financial terms, but God has given us a number of resources that we might invest:

Finances/possessions
Time
Attention
Energy
Talents

Are you investing these things wisely? Jesus had a lot to say about investing. Let’s start by looking at what Jesus taught about being a wise investor:

Matthew 6:19-21

Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

Jesus tells us not to pour ourselves into investments that are risky and short-term. During Jesus’ day if someone wanted to invest they would accumulate precious metals, often in the form of jewelry, or they’d stockpile grain or olive oil, or purchase livestock. But all these things could tarnish or spoil or die or be stolen. Jesus was saying, “Don’t put all your security in something that you can’t ultimately depend on.” Lately many of us have discovered what it means to see our investments shrink before our eyes. What we once thought was safe, valuable and dependable isn’t as stable as we once thought it was.

Every good financial advisor will tell you that wise investing means taking a long-view. In other words: don’t invest for next week, invest for 20-30 years down the road. In a sense this is what Jesus was advising: when choosing what to pour your life into, take the long view – an eternal view. Jesus knew this period of time we spend on the earth was short (especially compared to eternity). Why invest in things that would soon be worthless?

What would you think of your financial advisor if he told you to invest in a stock the he knew would soon be totally worthless? You’d fire him for giving you bad advice. Yet this is exactly what many people do. They listen to the advice of the world and pour their blood, sweat, and tears into the wrong life investments. Investments that will one day be worth nothing.

Jesus was saying, “Please don’t do that. Invest in things that will last.”

Now please don’t hear me saying that money is evil or that we shouldn’t make financial investments. The Bible doesn’t teach us that. In fact, the Bible teaches us that we’re to be wise stewards of our financial blessings. Money can be a tremendous tool that we can use to honor God and bless others.

But Jesus was trying to tell us, “Don’t let money be your treasure. Because your heart will ultimately be given to what you treasure.” You can give your heart to something so much more worthy than stuff!”

He said, “Store up for yourselves treasure in heaven”

If I were one of the disciples I’d say, “Jesus, you’ve got to be more specific than that.” But Jesus never said, “This is what I mean by treasures in heaven…”

So, how do we know what he was talking about? Probably the best way is to look at his life. You see, like most of you, I might have good intentions but my life never quite matches up with what I say I believe. Jesus’ life always matched his teaching. If he tells us that we should be storing up treasures in heaven, we can be sure that’s what he did with his life. So, how did Jesus invest his life?

Well, he didn’t invest in riches or possessions. Given his popularity he probably could have acquired wealth if he had wanted. But what we see is that Jesus poured his life into relationships with God and people. In fact, do you remember when an expert in the law posed a question for Jesus:

What is the most important commandment in the law? Jesus said:

Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, mind (first and greatest)
Love your neighbor as yourself
All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments!!!!

Do you see it there? Relationship with God and relationships with people. This is what Jesus invested in – He poured himself into his relationship with his heavenly father and he invested in people.

When it came to his relationship with God, this was number one for Jesus. He regularly invested in this relationship by giving God his time and attention. Even when thousands were pressing in on him with all kinds of needs, we’re told that Jesus often withdrew to quiet places where he could be with his Father. Jesus invested in his relationship with his father.

This is the most important investment you’ll ever make. It’s a secure investment that will never rust or fade or slip in value. When all else fails, he’s not going anywhere. Are you investing in a relationship with God? I’m not asking if you attend church. They’re not one in the same. Are you getting to know God by giving him your time/attention? If you want to imitate Jesus, this was his primary investment.

But Jesus didn’t only invest in his relationship with God. You might say that his other investments were a little more high risk. Jesus invested in relationships with people. Not just the cream of the crop. He invested in fishermen, tax collectors, prostitutes, and others you might consider less than secure. People can be unpredictable. People can let you down. This investment ultimately cost Jesus his life. Yet to Jesus, the value of this investment far outweighed the risk. So, Jesus invested in people: meeting needs, teaching, healing, answering questions….and the crowds grew bigger and bigger.

But Jesus did more than just meeting whatever needs came his way. He had a very intentional investment strategy when it came to people.

He knew he had limited time
He wanted his mission/purpose to continue after he left
He knew the crowds were fickle

So from the crowds Jesus picked 12 men whom he would pour his life into. The majority of Jesus’ time on this earth was spent with these guys – eating, sleeping, traveling, serving, teaching. Jesus was popular and could have focused all his attention on the masses -- maybe take the show on the road, packing out coliseums and amphitheatres in Rome and Egypt. But he knew that real discipleship/transformation happens up close and personal.

Water illustration: Imagine you are the crowd. If each of you were holding a glass of water I could throw this pitcher of water out into the crowd in an attempt to fill you glasses. The people on the front row might get a few drops in their glass if their lucky. But what if I gathered a few of you around me and took your glasses one at a time and filled them up by pouring into your life. This is what Jesus did

Jesus gathered a group around him that he could literally take the time to pour himself into. We’re talking more than just passing on information. These disciples were transformed by:

Being with Jesus
Watching him in action
Being his friend

What Jesus wanted was for these men to then carry on his mission in this world. He was creating disciples who would create disciples. And they did. Jesus’ investment in this small group of men has literally changed the world and is the reason you and I are here today.

So what does that mean for us? If we earnestly want to walk like Jesus then that means that we too will be investing in others. Not just the “throw water into the crowd” type of investing, but up close and personal kind of investing.

Let’s just say you decided to take Jesus’ example quite literally. Now, we’re not as effective as Jesus, so instead of investing in 12 people what if you just invested in two – two people who were either, curious about Jesus, new believers, or even just a step or two behind you in your faith. Maybe a co-worker, a neighbor, or even a youth (Floyd is always looking for adults to disciple kids). Jesus spent about 2.5 years pouring into his disciples, so let’s just say you take 3 years. We’re not talking about a formal type of thing – merely spending time with someone, building a friendship, talking about your faith and how it works in real life, serving together, all with a focus on growing closer to God together. That’s two people for three years.

Then let’s just say that your goal would be to encourage your two friends to do the same thing after three years – to invest in two people themselves, and then you then took on two more friends to disciple.

It would be easy to look at three years with only two people and say, “That was enjoyable….maybe not a huge impact…but it was meaningful.”

But here’s where it gets good. In the world of investing the power of compound interest allows your money to grow exponentially as you continue to reinvest your earnings. Discipleship has a similar growth curve.

Let’s say that after three years, both of your friends agree to invest in two more people and you do the same. That means…

After the second 3 year period (year 6) you’d have impacted 9 people
After 9 years – 27
After 12 years – 81
After 15 years – 243
After 18 years – 729
After 21 years – 2,187 disciples who are serious about following Jesus and making disciples

If you felt especially ambitious and said “I think I could invest in three people every three years” then after 21 years God would have used you to invest in the lives of 16,384 people. What would it feel like to get to heaven one day and see thousands of faces thank you for your investment? That’s what it means to store up treasures for yourself in heaven.

Do you see why I said Jesus was a genius of an investor; why he spent so much time with just 12 disciples? Because he was investing in disciples who would invest in disciples.

I have a friend in Valdosta that I’ve probably mentioned to you before. His name is Joe and he’s the best example I know of someone who’s taken Jesus’ style of investing seriously. Joe’s been a member of the same church now for probably close to 30 years. Several pastors have come and gone during this time, but despite the fact that he’s never held a position of leadership or served on a board Joe has probably had more of an influence than just about anyone else on the spiritual life of this church. How? Joe is always open to new investment opportunities. Often, as he becomes friends with another younger man, he’ll offer to meet with him one-on-one to read scripture, pray, and talk about how to live their lives for Jesus. After you meet with Joe for a period of time, he’ll say, “Now who are you going to disciple?” fully expecting you to begin investing in someone else’s life. Through this simple way of investing in others, Joe has had a significant impact in the lives of hundreds, maybe thousands of people. Joe is what Jesus would call a wise investor.

Think about the places you rub elbows with others: church, neighborhood, office, YMCA, or your kid’s school. Can you think of one or two people that you could befriend – someone who would allow you to invest in their life? What would happen if you began to very intentionally invest in their life? You might not be so sure you have something to offer, but this is where the two focuses of Jesus’ investing come in: He had something to invest into his disciples because he was first investing in a relationship with God. If you’re investing in a relationship with God himself, he’ll help you invest in others. But we can’t separate the two. Investing in people is most effective when we first invest in a relationship with God.

I’d like to close this morning by saying a word about our seniors. I think its great how this part of our sermon series just happens to fall on senior recognition Sunday. If you weren’t here at Wed Night Supper, our seniors all took a moment to stand up and essentially tell their parents and their church, “Thanks for investing in me.” I can think of no better investment. I was so proud! You see, over the last few years individuals from this church have invested in the lives of these seniors – parents, teachers, youth leaders, and friends. Now, if this process of discipleship works as it’s supposed to these disciples are going to go out into the world to invest in others.

Seniors, let me just say to you (the rest of you can listen as well): I want to challenge you to be wise investors in life. God has given you one life – invest wisely. There are all kinds of investment opportunities before you. You’ll also get all kinds of advice on how to invest your life. Please hear Jesus’ advice above the crowd, saying, “Don’t pour your life into things that won’t ultimately matter.” He is the best example of a life wisely invested. He invested in a real relationship with God. Then he invested in close relationships with people.

The altar will be open in just a moment. I want to give you a couple things to think/pray about:

What are you investing your life in? Are you pouring your life into things that will last?
Who are you investing in? If God wanted you to, would you be willing to intentionally invest in another person, giving them your time, attention, and sharing what you know about walking with Jesus?
Maybe this whole idea of investing in others seems too far down the road for you. Are you investing in a relationship with God yourself? There’s nothing that would please him more. If you want to know more about that, please talk to me this morning.
Perhaps you’ve never had anyone invest in your life, teaching you the basics of what it means to walk with Jesus. If this is the case we’d be glad to match you with an individual or a group where you can learn and grow.

The altar is open (or pray in your seat)…..Prayer available in the chapel as well.

Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this page on our website is perferred. Any exceptions to the above must by approved by Thomasville First United Methodist Church

Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By Chris Goff © Thomasville First United Methodist Church. Website: www.tfumc.com

Walk His Way - He Invested