Food for Thought: Investing Wisely

On October 24, 2017, Albert Einstein's theory of happiness sold for $1.3 million at a Jerusalem auction. While traveling in Tokyo during 1922, the Nobel-winning scientist scribbled a note to the bellboy when he did not have cash for a tip. He wrote, "A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness." He explained that due to his fame, the handwritten note "will probably be worth more than a regular tip." Ninety-five years later it required a millionaire to buy that "tip," and the advice is equally valuable because it reminds us that contentment is central to a satisfying life. Houston Chronicle, 10/25/17, p. A14

In our current culture, a “calm and modest life” is not necessarily considered the standard of success. “Constant restlessness” is a more accurate description of most of our lives. It’s not that most of us set out to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our modern civilization, but it is hard not to. We have to actually work at pulling back from getting overly involved in meaningless activities. What we invest our attention in, determines how we will spend our time.

It is an unfortunate fact that most of us have to work for a living and do not have much choice about how we spend much of our time. It is also true that many people do not have a lot of choice about how they spend their so-called “free time” or even some of their money. This seems to most people to be their fate in life. Yet some people do seem to manage to free themselves from the constant quest for material things or leisure time that they think will bring them satisfaction if not great happiness. The truth is that more is not necessarily always better.

The very first investment God wants us to make is in our eternity. He wants us first to invest in a personal relationship with Him and with His Son Jesus Christ. In other words, the first investment God directs us to make is accepting salvation through the death of Jesus Christ on a cross.

This is made very clear in this Bible verse in Proverbs 16:8 "Better is a little with righteousness than vast revenues without justice."

God has promised to “prosper” us if we follow His will. It is how we choose to define prosperity that makes the difference.