2. MONEY MUST BE INVESTED IN HIS INTEREST

Matthew 25:27 "So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest."

Not to give the Lord His interest is called wicked and lazy service (Matthew 25:26 ). Serving God's purposes in the world gives value to money and goods.

What are the kinds of investments we are to make that are of God's interest? The New Testament reveals the things of His interest.

1 Timothy 5:4 "But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God."

Meeting the physical needs of one's family is part of Christian stewardship, in keeping with Biblical faith. You are serving God's interests in providing for family.

1 Timothy 5:3 "Honour widows that are widows indeed."

1 Timothy 5:5 "Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day."

1 Timothy 5:16 "If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed."

James 1:27 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

In God's eyes, giving to the needy is as important as tithing to a ministry - it is investing in His interest.

1 Corinthians 9:9-11 "... Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? ¹⁰ Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. ¹¹ If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?"

Those who so labour in the Word are worthy, of double honour in remuneration, says Paul.

1 Timothy 5:17-18 "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. ¹⁸ For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward."

Galatians 6:10 "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."

In the household of faith, good should include caring for the needy in a practical way. Right now there are many programs to help the non-believers, this is good, but believers should have priority.

Philippians 4:15-16 "Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. ¹⁶ For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity."

Notice how Paul points out,

Philippians 4:17 "Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account."

His concern was that they would have credit, through giving, in heaven's bank.

Notice that it is important to see that the common denominator in God's interest is investment in people.

In this regard an interesting parable is given by the Master in Luke 16:1-13. The shrewd manager, facing possible dismissal, called his master's debtors and said to the one to pay only half of what he owed. To another owing one hundred, he said to pay eighty. In this way he insured their acceptance and help when he was in need.

Luke 16:4,8 "I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. ⁸ And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: ..."

Take to heart this teaching of Jesus:

	Do not think for a moment that Jesus meant to commend or reward dishonesty.
	His point is to be wise, use money to establish relationships that will bring eternal returns.
	Have in mind not the possession of things, but eternal relationships.
	Major on serving the Master, not money.

Luke 16:13 "No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

No matter how it looks now, eternal returns will be 30, 60 and 100 fold.