Investments.

Isaiah 55:2
Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.

We all have it, tons of stuff. Computers, cars, televisions, bikes, musical instruments, top of the line ovens, a new house, pretty grass, need I say more? We’re told by the world to invest in our future. So we do. We have 401k’s, Roth IRA’s, and college funds for the kids, as a protection and establishment for their future and ours. But what does God say about all of that?

Perhaps you’re reading this right now and thinking, “He’s gone off the deep end! Does he really think that we shouldn’t invest in our future? Does he think we shouldn’t invest in our children’s future?” Allow me to answer your questions with a resounding NO! That is not at all what I think. I believe in planning ahead, in hoping that tomorrow will come, but I believe that we (Christians) have gotten too caught up in that race with the rest of the world and have forgotten about what is truly important.

God, through Isaiah, has given us insight into His plan. He asked the question, “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?” Though they’re written in the book of Isaiah, they are the words of God, so we have to consider that there is a message He is sending us.

All of the stuff that we have acquired here on earth is simply that: stuff. Cars, boats, TVs, and computers; they’re not going with us to the grave. I know it’s cliche, but it’s true. Does God want us to have all of those things? Sure! But God does not want us putting the effort into obtaining them? No! He wants the stuff of this world to be the icing on the cake of His riches. He wants us investing our hearts, minds, body, and soul into what is the best, and that is His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35) (Just a little Greek here: hunger is peinao, meaning suffer want or be needy. Thirst in this scripture is dipsao, meaning those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, and strengthened.) By now I’m sure you know where I’m going with this.

Listen carefully to God; He’s telling you what to invest in: His Word! An “all in” attitude towards knowing and embracing the love and fullness of Jesus Christ will yield an abundance. It will yield satisfaction for both the soul and the body. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.” (Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4)

Allow God, through the magnificence of His grace, to supply you with the abundant life that He has promised (John 10:10). Your working, your toiling, and your worrying about the future is no longer your problem. All of those things were nailed to the cross along with your sin, shame, and guilt. God’s desire now is for you to satisfy your soul with the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ. Let His grace supply you with both your physical and spiritual needs!