Lasting Treasure

There is an old story about Grandma and little Refus. “Know what this is boy?” asked Grandma holding up a large black book. “Yep,” says little Refus, “that’s your Bible, Granny.”

“Right boy. But do you know what’s inside it?” she asked. “Sure, there’s that leaf from the sassafras tree, your old hanky, a picture of Cousin Elsie, and . . .” he went on with the list.

Many of us have been known to keep a few things in the pages of our favorite Bible. In mine, marking Psalm 24 (“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof…”) is a 250-dinar bank note from the country of Iraq.

There was a time when that note drawn on the Central Bank of Iraq had financial value. I keep this one because on the side opposite the amount is a picture of former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein. The now worthless bill (“not worth the paper it’s printed on” as is said), is a reminder that the things of this earth will all be worthless someday.

In Chapter 1 of The Treasure Principle, Randy Alcorn makes a point worth pondering. If you know the “currency” where you currently reside will one day be worthless, would you not do well to convert it to a currency that will have value where you plan to be in the future?

His illustration is specifically about Confederate currency before the end of the US Civil War. Had you known the outcome in advance it would have been prudent to convert your Confederate money to US currency—because that is the money that had value in the end.

Paul’s advice to Timothy drives this principal home in 1 Timothy 6:17-19:

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, not 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.”

As followers of Jesus, aware that this life is not destined to last—but the life to come is—does converting the currency of today into lasting treasure seem like a wise and prudent strategy?

If I can help you think it through or if you would like to discuss it—feel free to get in touch.

© 2021 CDF Capital Foundation from the Lifestyle Giving Legacy files