There is a happy elderly couple now living at a retirement home in Belfast, Northern Ireland. I visited with them last week. They are the kind of souls that reflect the cheering rays of heaven’s light upon you because they live in the roseate hues of that Sonlit land. As he told me, “We pray for you and Louise and each member of your family by name every day.” What is that worth? Thankfully the benefits of such intercession can be imported across international borders without tariffs or taxes.
But I happen to know a little secret about this couple. When they lived in a lovely seaside town further south, I visited them in their little home there, too. It was as modest, neat, bright and cheery as its inhabitants.
There were many Bible texts and mottos here and there around the place (a habit frequently seen in our seniors’ homes but not always carried on by the next generation). But one motto especially caught my eye.
It was not a direct quotation from the Scriptures, but exactly captured the spirit of Christianity as seen in the early chapters of the book of Acts. And for those interested in Church history, it also was evident in every great revival. We could also include those revivals seen in the Old Testament for evidence of something similar.
Their motto read: “Economize to evangelize.” The idea being that the best blue chip investment is in everlasting souls. How do we know? Because the Heir of all things—the One who could say, “The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, saith the Lord of hosts” (Hag. 2:8)—He said it was so. Listen to His words: “And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations” (Lk. 16:9).
BIG BUSINESS
Want friendships that last? Lead people to Christ. Some of them will be at the door of Heaven to receive you when you get Home.
Want to know what do do with your financial resources—the mammon of unrighteousness? Take what has been used by others for the wrong things and use it for the right thing: put it into gospel work.
But you might need it for a rainy day? Trust the Lord who controls the rainy days. He challenges us to put our money into His Big Project. I understand He’s a very good businessman. Being about His Father’s business, He has plans for a major takeover. Soon those who invested in this world will find their treasures have been atomized, or so says Peter:
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness (2 Pet. 3:10-13).
Having heard about the Gospel bus…and the Sprinter van…and the trailer, one brother called up and said, “I have a trailer that I’m not using. If you hear about some young men interested in doing gospel work, I’ll give it to them.”
Isn’t that what we need, a thousand times over?
Let me hold lightly things of this earth;
Transient treasures, what are they worth?
Moths can corrupt them, rust can decay,
All of their beauty fades in a day.
Let me hold lightly temporal things;
I who am deathless, I who wear wings!
Let me hold fast, Lord, things of the skies;
Quicken my vision, open my eyes!
Show me Thy riches, glory and grace,
Boundless as time is, endless as space!
Let me hold lightly things that are mine—
Lord, Thou hast giv’n me all that is Thine!
—Martha Snell Nicholson