Stockpiling for heaven

Every country in the world allocates a considerable amount of money for their defence. But some countries go overboard. They stockpile sophisticated arms, ammunition and all kinds of missiles to defend themselves in the event of a war. In 2019, the US defence budget was an incredible $686 billion while China set apart $250 billion. Even in India, where more than 30% of the population is under the poverty line, the defence budget is a pretty sum — $65 billion! 

Sadly, nobody in the world thought about preparing themselves to defend against a virus called Covid-19. It is such a scary thought that India has just 40,000 working ventilators for a population of 1.37 billion. Almost every country is racing against time to increase the number of hospital beds and ventilators. Formula One teams, luxury fashion brands and the aviation industry are now into production of ventilators and personal protective equipment. One can only hope that future world leaders will not spend billions in stockpiling arms and ammunition — and that they would instead invest in the day-to-day welfare of the ordinary people in their nations.

Having said that, now is as good a time as any for us, as Christians, to be reflecting on a similar scenario in our spiritual journey. Where do we invest our resources? What do we stockpile? 

The Bible says that a day of reckoning is coming when we will stand before God to give an account of the resources He gave into our hands

Let us look at the Scriptures: 

Luke 12:19-21 — “And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself? This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

1 Timothy 6:17-19 — “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

Hebrews 6:10 — “For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.”

Revelation 22:12 — “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.”

Brothers and sisters, the Bible says that a day of reckoning is coming when we will stand before God to give an account of the resources He gave into our hands. Will we be able to defend ourselves on that day? Will we receive our reward from His hand? Determine today to stockpile treasures in heaven. Ask yourself an honest question: What is my major investment in life right now? 

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for hoarding up treasures for ourselves. Enable us to see the vanity of lopsided earthly investments, and help us to rethink our investment priorities. Amen.