Now or Forever?

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matt 6:19-21

On Sunday I talked about Investing for Eternity. If you weren't there I encourage you to check it out. Two options now . . . on audio or video.

As I was preparing last week and re-reading Randy Alcorn's The Treasure Principle, I came across this great story from time he spent in Egypt that summarizes the heart of the passage above.

In Cairo he was taken to the tomb of a man named William Borden. It read 'William Borden 1887-1913.'
Borden was a Yale graduate and heir to great wealth, but rejected a life of ease because of a burden to take the gospel to the Muslims. He gave away hundreds of thousands of dollars to missions and then after only 4-months of zealous ministry in Egypt himself he contract spinal meningitis and died at 25.
His tombstone also told of his great sacrifices for the Kingdom of God and great love for the Muslim people. It then ended like this: "Apart from faith in Christ, there is no explanation for such a life."

Right after visiting Borden's grave they went to the Egyptian National Museum where they visited the King Tut exhibit. It was amazing. The boy king who was only 17 when he died was buried with solid gold chariots and tons of gold. His gold coffin was found withing gold tombs within gold tombs within gold tombs.
The Egyptians believed in an afterlife where they could take their wealth with them. But all the treasures intended for Tut's after life stayed right where they were buried.


What a contrast, two young men taken at an early age. Tut's life tragic. He lived in opulence but now without Christ. He discovered a truth too late, he couldn't take his treasures with him.

On the other hand Borden lived, and died, modestly in the back alleys for the glory of the King. And he was triumphant with his investments because even though he couldn't take them with them, he sent them ahead.

How are you managing your investments? For Now . . . or Forever?

Beginning THIS Sunday . . .

What is there to learn from the condition that our economy is in?

What does God say about how we are to protect, save and give our resources?

How can we live with financial confidence instead of doubt and fear?

Beginning this Sunday we are going to take on some Lessons from an Economic Downturn! Don't miss it!

And who around you is living in financial fear and needs to hear about the confidence we can have in God? Bring them with you and pray for God to change their lives!

Treasure Principle

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

On Sunday I talked about the elephant of greed and how it rots away our soul - from the inside out. BUT, how generosity loosens the grip of greed. How investments in eternity transfer our interests from earth to heaven, from self to God.

At the end of Celebration I gave everyone a book - The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn. One of the best, most concise, books I've ever read about our resources. One of my favorite sections says this:

"'Store up for yourselves.' Doesn't it seem strange that Jesus commands us to what's in our own best interests? Wouldn't that be selfish? No. God expects and commands us to act out of enlightened self-interest. He wants us to live to His glory, but what is to His glory is always to our good."

When we use our treasure for God's good . . . it's ALWAYS for OUR good!

If you weren't here on Sunday and want a copy of The Treasure Principle, stop by the office - or ask on Sunday - and we'd love to give you one.

1.99

I just got gas for under $2 for the first time in about 5 years . . . Here's proof!

For you guys up north and in Cali . . . sorry!

Financial Peace University!

“The wise look ahead to see what is coming, but fools deceive themselves.” (Prov 14:8)

Wednesday February 20th is when Financial Peace begins at Oso Creek!

You can check out Dave Ramsey's website here.

The Cost is $93 for materials and we will have child care at Oso Creek! This is an incredible opportunity for all of us to gain/renew God's vision for our resources!

Sign up on Sunday or by coming by the Oso Creek Office during the week.