My task is to recommend other ways of maximizing your future benefits. I want you to be able to claim your eternal benefits in all their great fullness. I want you to be able to "take hold of the life that is truly life" -- "eternal life". I want you to "lay up treasure for yourself as a firm foundation for the coming age." I want you to invest in that which will last no matter what happens in this life. Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth or rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)

I have seen people put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain.
Their investments have not been secure. Their stock portfolio has crashed. Their real estate has plummeted in value. Their holdings have become worthless. They have not been able to pay their mortgages. Their loans have come due. They have not been able to maintain their lavish lifestyle. They have had to liquidate their possessions, declare bankruptcy and start all over again from scratch. The arrogant have been humbled. "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)

Instead we are to put our hope in God, who richly provides us with everything we need (not everything we may want) for our enjoyment. Instead of selfishly trying to build our lives on material possessions, and building our identity on what we own, thinking that we deserve all that we covet, we are to put our trust in God's provision.

How are we to lay up treasure for the age to come? How are we to maximize our future benefits? How are we to plan for our life in eternity? How are we to minimize the risk to our spiritual wellbeing?

St. Paul tells us that there are two ways to maximize our future benefits. There are two ways to lay up treasures in heaven. There are two ways to lay a firm risk-free foundation for our life after this mortal life.

First, do good and be rich in good deeds. Show your faith in Christ by what you do with what you have. Jesus said, "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." (Matthew 25:35,36) We seek to do good and be rich in good deeds through ministries that we may not be able to do directly but we can support. Through our giving at Amelia Plantation Chapel we invest in the ministries of the Barnabas Crisis Center, City Rescue Mission, Empowered Parents & Camp Consequence, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Micah's Place, Hope House, United Christian Academy, Safe Harbor Boys' Home, East/West Ministries, Wears Valley Ranch, Medical Assistance Program, Habitat for Humanity, Women's Resource Center, Haggai Institute, Seamark Ranch, YMCA, World Vision, Eagle Ranch, Salvation Army, Kairos Prison Ministry, Samaritan's Purse, Joy to the Children, Kenya Partners, Faith Christian Academy, Open Doors and others. We can do much good through investing in the good deeds of Christian missions.

Second, by being generous and willing to share. Jesus said, "Give and it will be given to you." (Luke 6:38) "Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity." (The Message) "You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God...You show your gratitude through your generous offerings." (2 Cor.9:11, 13)

Let me tell you the story of someone who was generous and willing to share his wealth during his lifetime. Robert Dale Daffin (1853-1935) was Ruling Elder of the First Presbyterian Church, Marianna, Florida for nearly 48 years. His generosity to the church inspired the congregation for generations. His legacy lives on in the church through its buildings and facilities, which he provided for throughout his life. As a highly successful businessman and entrepreneur, he was known as "Uncle Bob" by most people in Marianna. He established Daffin Mercantile (which is still in business), and became a builder and developer in Jackson County. Having survived the Civil War as a small boy he knew what is was to lose all your worldly goods, but with his vibrant faith and hard work he overcame his difficulties to bless the generations to come with his generosity and attitude to money. He believed that everything came from God and so gave an increasing percentage of his income every year to the work of the Lord. The story is told of a conversation with his brother P.D. Daffin who was the Parks Commissioner in Savannah and a cotton broker who was active on the New York Stock Exchange. Daffin Park in Savannah is named for him. Knowing that Robert had considerable means he asked him why he did not invest more in the stock market. Robert replied that he would rather invest in the "foreign field" meaning the missionary work of the Gospel.

He invested, not only his wealth, but also his family. Two of Robert's sons entered the ordained ministry of the Presbyterian Church. One served as the first Protestant missionary in Brazil where his legacy has continued to this day in the third generation to serve there. His daughter Eleanor Daffin McCrary was a vibrant Christian lady who left her family home to the church. His grand-daughter Bessie McCrary Bowie carried on the family faith and generosity by giving away everything she had. His great-grand-daughter Antoinette has shared her life with me for nearly 45 years as my wife.

Of such are the kingdom of heaven. These are those who are wise in their investments, "who will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and will lead many to righteousness like the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel 12:3)

Let us all set our sights doing good, being rich in good deeds, being generous and willing to share. That is the way to lay up treasures for ourselves as a firm foundation for the coming age. That is the investment that will last eternally.

(Check out Ted's latest blog VACLEV HAVEL: MAN OF FAITH? At www.tedschroder.com, and his book on www.amazon.com .)