INVEST WISELY

INVEST WISELY
I was able to avoid a $375,000 income tax this year. It has to do with investment. I did not invest my money, time, energy or skill into making money, and as a result, I was able to keep my income low enough that I did not incur a high income tax. hehehe

Okay, you could say it had to do with lack of ability rather than choice (smile). Still, the principle is sound: You Reap What You Sow. If you sow your life into this world and its goods, you will reap material return. If you sow your life into debauchery, you will reap the whirlwind. If you sow your life in service and obedience to the God's Holy Spirit, you will reap eternal life.

* (We must invest our lives for God)
Galatians 6:7-9
(7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
(8) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
(9) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Don't misunderstand this concept. You cannot reap eternal life simply by following a spiritual path. Remember, eternal life is the gift of God, it cannot be earned. However, it is a gift. It is a gift that must be cherished and held onto.

* (We must abide, that is, remain in Christ).
John 15:6
(6) If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

* (We must cleave, that is, adhere constantly and faithfully to the Lord).
Acts 11:23
(23) Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

* (We must continue in the grace of God).
Acts 13:43
(43) Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

* (We must continue in the faith).
Acts 14:22
(22) Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

* (We must build ourselves up in faith, pray in the Holy Spirit and keep ourselves in the love of God).
Jude 1:20-21
(20) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
(21) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Another aspect to sowing to the Spirit is that of reaping the eternal life of those we bring to Christ. If I spend my life pursuing the things of this world, I MAY obtain them, but the souls I win to Christ will live forever.

* (We must spend our life wisely).
Proverbs 11:30-31
(30) The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
(31) Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

Romans 2:3-11 (notice vss. 6-11)
(3) And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
(4) Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
(5) But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
(6) Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
(7) To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
(8) But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
(9) Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
(10) But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
(11) For there is no respect of persons with God.