Newspaper headlines read: “FDIC Must Rescue Major Banks;” “Embezzlement and Fraud;” “Insurance Companies File for Bankruptcy;” “Stock Market Takes a Tumble.”
One wonders, “Is there financial security today? Where can I put my money and not have to worry about it?”
Did you know that Jesus is in the banking business? (Matthew 6:19–21). He is knowledgeable (John 2:24–25), trustworthy (1 Peter 2:21–22), and courteous (John 8:1–11). What better investment could one make than to invest in heaven’s bank?
Opening an Account
As with all accounts, heaven’s bank requires meeting certain requirements. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). God’s grace requires that one meet His conditions (Ephesians 2:8–9). Jesus requires faith, repentance, confession, and baptism before He begins to place one’s treasures in heaven (John 3:16; Luke 13:3; Matthew 10:32; Acts 2:38).
Risk-Free
Earthly accounts may claim to be risk-free, but they are based on national economics. If the stock market crashes and the dollar value tumbles, our legal tender will be worthless. This is not true of banking in heaven, for Jesus said, “Neither moth nor rust destroys . . . thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:20). While one may remove his treasures from heaven (2 Peter 2:20–22), no one can force him to. Jesus promised, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (John 10:27–29).
High Interest
No earthly account can boast such a high yield! We give God our money, talents, time, love, and life (Matthew 22:37; Romans 12:1–2), and we receive eternal bliss (John 3:15), in a place so perfect it defies deserved description (John 14:1–6). John describes it:
I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:1–4).
Club Benefits
A bank or credit union may offer customers special incentives to place money in its care. These privileges may include discounts at restaurants, movie theaters, and wholesale clubs. Heaven’s bank offers club benefits which no other can match. Christians are given “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7), strength in weakness (Psalm 46:1; 2 Corinthians 12:9–10), comfort in distress (2 Corinthians 1:3), hope in death (Revelation 14:13), a listening ear (James 5:16), a loving hand (Psalm 73:23), a watchful eye (1 Peter 3:12), and a concerned heart (1 Peter 5:7). What bank can make these claims?
No Diversification
There are restrictions to our membership in heaven’s bank. We are not allowed to diversify our interests at all. All must be invested here, or we lose the part invested. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). To divide allegiance is to invite defeat; yea, to assure it. We cannot serve Jesus and Satan, God’s kingdom and the devil’s. Jesus said, “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end” (Mark 3:24–26). God is jealous (Exodus 20:1–5) and will have either all or nothing (Matthew 22:37; Romans 12:1–2; Revelation 3:15–17). “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4).
Maturation Period
As with many high-yield, low-risk accounts, the maturation period is lengthy. The benefits of Jesus’ bank can only be reached after death (cf. Hebrews 9:27). Many lose interest at this point, because they live for the here and now, caring little for the there and then. How foolish! The “there and then” may be just around the corner (Luke 12:20). “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). It will last forever, dwarfing this life by comparison (Matthew 25:46).
We do not actually own any money. God has entrusted some to us on a stewardship (Matthew 25:14–30) and expects us to use it wisely (1 Corinthians 4:2). Should not we all make Jesus our Banker since it is all His anyway?
We can never go wrong trusting Jesus.
