What are we investing in—things we can’t take with us when we die or eternity? 🤔
There’s a well-known saying, often attributed to Denzel Washington:
You never see a U-Haul behind a hearse
In the end, when life draws to a close, it is just you or I—laid to rest in a coffin, lowered into a grave or cremated. Everything else, whether great or small, is left behind. Our possessions pass into the hands of others—to be used, cherished, or sometimes even contested. Such is the nature of life.
In my own culture—and I’m not sure if this is uniquely cultural or more widely practiced—I’ve seen people place meaningful belongings alongside their loved ones: favourite clothes, tools, books. Small but significant items, laid to rest with them as a final gesture of connection.
And yet, it raises a quiet, sobering question…
Which leads us into this week’s reflection. 😔
Bible reading 📖
Luke 19:22-23 NIV
[22] “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? [23] Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’
Reflections 🙌
In Luke 19, Jesus tells a parable about servants entrusted with resources. The expectation was simple: invest what you’ve been given.
One servant didn’t lose the money—he just didn’t use it.
He held onto it. Played it safe. Stayed comfortable.
And that was the problem.
Anchored – Where Is Your Life Rooted?
Before we even talk about investment, we have to ask:
What are we anchored to?
If our lives are anchored in:
* security → we’ll invest cautiously
* comfort → we’ll avoid risk
* material gain → we’ll chase temporary returns
But when our lives are anchored in God, everything shifts.
Our decisions, our priorities, our willingness to step out in faith—it all changes because our foundation is secure.
What we’re anchored often to determines how we invest.
Delight – What Do You Truly Value?
Most often then not, what we invest in reveal our true delight. And Jesus makes it clear elsewhere:
Matthew 6:21 NIV
[21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
We naturally invest in what we love:
* If we delight in comfort → we invest in ease
* If we delight in status → we invest in appearance
* If we delight in God → we invest in eternity
Delight is not just emotion—it’s direction.
What we delight in determines where our resources go.
Material vs Eternal Investment
Material things aren’t wrong—but they’re temporary.
Careers, houses, money—they serve a purpose here, but they don’t last. And we most certainly can’t take them with us when we pass on.
Eternal investments look different:
* People over possessions
* Purpose over profit
* Obedience over convenience
As C. T. Studd said:
Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.
The Warning in Luke 19
The servant didn’t fail because he lacked resources—
he failed because he didn’t act.
Fear, wrong perception of the master, or misplaced priorities kept him from investing.
And that’s the tension for us:
* Being anchored doesn’t mean staying still
* Delighting in God doesn’t mean doing nothing
It means faithfully investing what He’s given us for His purposes
Challenge
Take a moment and reflect:
* What am I truly anchored to right now?
* What brings me the most delight?
* If my life were an investment portfolio would it reflect eternity or materiality?
God has not asked us to hold onto what He’s given—
He’s asked us to use it.
Prayer 🙏
Lord, anchor our lives firmly in You. Redirect our hearts so that we delight in what truly matters. Help us to invest our time, our gifts, and our resources in ways that honour You and have eternal impact. Give us courage to act and wisdom to invest well. Amen 🙏
To God be the glory always 🙏
Idau Hahine 