Making Wise Investments (Part 7): Treasures in Heaven

Making Wise Investments (Part 7): Treasures in Heaven

This is the final lesson in our series in which we have been discussing what the Bible describes as wise investments. They are things of great value – not valuable from a material standpoint, but valuable because they pertain to that which is spiritual and eternal. In this last lesson, we will consider what ought to be the goal of all of our efforts – a home in heaven.

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 neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

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Making Wise Investments (Part 6): Faith More Precious Than Gold

Making Wise Investments (Part 6): Faith More Precious Than Gold

The next and final lesson in our series will deal with the “treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20). But before we get to that, we must answer this question: How can we make it through the trials of life so that we will reach heaven? The answer to this question is that we will “obtain an inheritance…in heaven […] through faith” (1 Peter 1:4-5). Peter went on to describe the value of a proven faith.

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7).

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Making Wise Investments (Part 5): A Counterfeit Spirituality

Making Wise Investments (Part 5): A Counterfeit Spirituality

When the Lord addressed the church at Laodicea, He condemned them for practicing a spirituality that was not of the Lord, but was counterfeit. Therefore, He advised these brethren who thought they needed nothing to buy certain things from him so that they might have a real spirituality.

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see” (Revelation 3:15-18).

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Making Wise Investments (Part 4): The Great Gain of Godliness

Making Wise Investments (Part 4): The Great Gain of Godliness

Why do we serve God? Different people will have different answers to that question. Yet not all of them will have the right motivation. Some are motivated by material gain – a better life now. We sometimes use the term “health and wealth gospel” to refer to the message that is tailored to this group’s desires. Others are motivated by spiritual gain – a better life in eternity. Many are motivated by a combination of the two. In this lesson, we will consider Paul’s words to Timothy in which he warned of the danger of being motivated by material gain and he explained what is the great gain of godliness.

But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment” (1 Timothy 6:6).

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Making Wise Investments (Part 3): The Pearl of Great Value

Making Wise Investments (Part 3): The Pearl of Great Value

In the previous lesson, we considered the value of the truth – the word of God – and why we should buy it and not sell it. In this lesson, we will consider something so valuable that Jesus talked about the wisdom in one selling everything that he owned in order to buy it. The thing which He said was so valuable was the kingdom.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:45-46).

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Making Wise Investments (Part 2): Buy the Truth

Making Wise Investments (Part 2): Buy the Truth

Our first lesson dealt with the value of the soul. Without understanding this, the other points in our study are useless. But now that we understand the value of the soul, how should we care for our soul? In this lesson, we will consider the importance of possessing the truth.

Buy truth, and do not sell it, get wisdom and instruction and understanding” (Proverbs 23:23).

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Making Wise Investments (Part 1): The Value of the Soul

Making Wise Investments (Part 1): The Value of the Soul

The first valuable commodity that we will consider in our study is the soul. People often fail to properly consider the value of their soul because their estimation is distorted by either self-deprecation (failing to see how valuable they are personally) or short-sightedness (failing to see past the things of this life). So let us see what the Scriptures teach us about the value of the soul.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26).

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