Topic: Luke 5:27-28
Dividends, interest earned, an interest-bearing account, money market, diversified funds, and IRA's--all describe some aspect of financial investing.
However, Levi the tax collector was not thinking of worldly investments the day he made the decision to follow Jesus Christ. Until that point he was a hated man mainly because he extracted taxes from the Jews and was paid handsomely by the Roman government.
However, no financial gain compared to the awesome provision that was his in Christ. Luke 5:28 says that after Jesus said to Levi, "Follow Me," the tax collector "left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him."
Jesus changed Levi's name to Matthew, which means gift of God. It was at this point that Matthew realized the value of true wealth. Material or financial gains were not the answer to the problems he faced. Eternal life and unconditional love were the answers to His deepest needs, and these could only be found in the person of Jesus Christ.
When it comes to finances, many advisers say, "keep a long-term perspective." Matthew certainly understood this principle. His decision was not only the wisest long-term investment, it also yielded the greatest return.
Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation
at 7:24 AM CDT