In the midst of making pleasant chit chat while she sat across from me at her desk, the bank clerk mused, "wouldn't it be wonderful if we knew the future? Then we would know what to do with all of our money!" As the words spilled from her lips, visions of the film "Back to the Future" raced through my mind.
It's a powerful thought. Knowing what the future holds would provide a depth of insight guiding us how we ought to respond now. The question would vanish whether we should we invest, sit tight or sell. How might such knowledge alter our decisions? Would we choose to live more frugally at a critical moment knowing that the money saved and invested at that specific juncture would yield huge rewards later? If we could know the future, how might our lives be different?
Suddenly I realized the power we do know what the future holds! One day the heavens will be split apart to reveal our Lord coming in the clouds to claim his own. Furthermore, we can know that there are rich returns for using our worldly wealth to bless others and do good! The Lord has given us the wonderful gift of knowing what will happen.
"... what sort of people must you be in dedicated behavior and godliness, eagerly awaiting the coming of the day of God? ... But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, do your best to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, ..." 2 Peter 3:11-14"Sell your possessions and give to charity. Make for yourselves purses that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Luke 12:33-34
"Command the rich in this world not to be conceited nor to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies to us all things to enjoy; in order that they do what is good. Command them to be rich in good works, willing to be generous and to share, laying up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed." 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Through a window revealing the future, God has extended to us a tether to what will be. The only question is, how will we choose to use this knowledge?
Barry Newton, Copyright © 2002
Other articles which might be of interest:
Jesus is Good NewsThe Best Attorney Money Can't Buy
A Relationship for Eternity (God wants to be in a relationship with us)
Should We Forget This Part of the Gospel? (God's final judgment)