Financial Perspective

News reports continue to chronicle economic challenges, with some predicting there may be more foreclosures in 2011 than any other year in US history. Many people are rethinking their financial and personal priorities in light of such developments. About 200 AD, Clement of Alexandria put worldly possessions in perspective with these words: “Why do transparent stones and emeralds delight thee so much, and a house that is fuel for fire, or  a plaything of time, or  the sport of the earthquake, or an occasion for a tyrant’s outrage? Aspire to dwell in the heavens, and to reign with God.” Who was Clement of Alexandria? He was one of the “early church fathers”; an important figure in the first centuries of Christian history whose writings and leadership the Lord used to greatly impact subsequent generations of believers. People’s desire for nice things and their need for a roof over their heads ran as deep in Clement’s time as in our own. But he offered a poignant reminder of the transient nature of worldly goods, and encouraged his readers to fix their hearts on God and eternity instead. In doing so he was pointing people to what Jesus had preached in his Sermon on the Mount two centuries earlier: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21, ESV) Financial crises are nothing new. Nor is the temptation to find one’s delight or security in “stuff.” But investing in the kingdom of God continues to be the wisest  move we can make, whether the economy is busting or booming. Pastor Greg [The quote from Clement of Alexandria is from his Who Is The Rich Man That Shall Be Saved? His complete works may be found in  “The Ante-Nicene Fathers,” volume 2, Hendrickson Publishers. The entire series is in our church library]