Guaranteed Gain !

How to obtain what money cannot buy!

Analysts differ on what will bring financial gain in the uncertain economic climate of our day. Lately I have heard all sorts of conflicting advice. Some financial advisors say to buy gold; others say to sell your gold. Some say sell your stocks because the market is still going down; others say but stock now because the market is certain to go up soon. Some say to invest in real estate; others say you had better get out of real estate before the bubble pops. The fact is that looking back and observing what worked in the past is easy. Looking ahead and predicting with any degree of certainty is not so easy.

I cannot predict what the economy is going to do, but I can tell you how to be profitable-eternally profitable! We read in Titus 3:8-9, " This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.These things are good and profitable unto men. But avoid foolish questions,and genealogies and contentions, and striving about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. "This is only one of the passages in Scriptures that addresses the subject of gain-God has a great deal to say in His Word on the subject of profit and loss.

When it comes to money, can tell you of an investment that works. Malachi wrote about it many years ago. We read, " Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it " (Malachi 3:10 ). The prophet's instruction worked then and it works now, and thousands have proved it. This is God speaking, and when He promises to pour out a blessing, that blessing will come.

We live in a country where people think that attaining great wealth is a blessing. However, many times the reverse is proven true as we observe the immorality, substance abuse, apathy, and suicide rates of the affluent. The things of real value in this life are not affected by money or the lack of it. The blessings of God on our lives has nothing to do with our financial state.
Oh, how precious it is to have the peace of God in our hearts! That is something money cannot buy.

In 1 Timothy 4:8, we read something about profit: " For bodily exercise profiteth little but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. " I know that it is a good idea to stay in shape physically. Some years ago, my wife and I took up walking, and I have to agree that I feel better since we have been doing that regularly,We have found that exercise does profit a little. However, I am so glad that I know something that profits a lot! Godliness is profitable in "all things."

Serving the Lord is profitable in this world. You do not need to worry about what yo say, because you always tell the truth. You are not concerned about bill collectors hounding you, because you pay your bills. You have no bad feelings between you and your neighbors, because you live peaceably with all men. It is profitable to live in a godly manner! The blessings that we have in this life are incomparable. A while back, news commentator Paul Harvey said that people who go to church live an average of six to eight years longer than non-church goers. Do you know why? People who go to church get out of the house. They are surrounded by a community of people who love and care for them. They sing together and pray together and worship God together. No wonder they live longer. Godliness pays!

In 1 Timothy 6:6, we read another formula for gain: " But godliness with contentment is great gain. " Have you ever been around people who complain a lot? They complain about their jobs. They complain about the houses they live in, their wages, and their mates. They complain about their health. They complain about church. what does all that complaining gain for them? Nothing! The Bible says that if we want great gain, we must mix godliness with contentment.

When I was a child, Christmas meant one primary thing-getting. Since I have grown older, my perspective has changed considerably. Now, Christmas is about giving! And the fact is, I find myself a lot happier at Christmas now than I did when I was a child. I grew up in the depression years and we got one toy and the rest of our gifts were clothes. I was not contented back then, but now I am!

An Example of Contentment

When I think of contentment, I think of Sister Stewart. Some years ago, I pastored in Chehalis, Washington, and Sister Stewart was one of the congregation. Before she met the Lord, she had endured a hard life. She knew nothing about God.
She and her husband lived in logging camps and her life was filled with drinking, cursing, hardships, and no money. Then her son became a Christian, and a short time later, Sister Stewart was saved also. Her life changed! No, she did not instantly have, more of this world's goods, but that no longer mattered. She heared that there was a church camp meeting in Portland, Oregon. She lived was up in Washington State, but she packed her bag and started walking to Portland. She would sleep along the highway and get up in the morning and walk some more until she got there. She was hungry for God, and she was willing to do whatever it took to learn more about Him.

That was many years ago. By the time I lived in Chehalis, Sister Stewart was around one hundred years old and living in a care center. When I would go to visit her, I would say, " How are you, Sister Stewart? " She would say, " I could not be better. Look, I have a nice window so I can see outside. I have a comfortable bed. And the food here is wonderful! They treat me so good!
" I thought to myself, Yes, godliness with contentment is great gain. Sister Stewart did not have much as fat as this world went, but she had great gain. She had peace in her heart, and how blessed she felt!

Profit from scripture

We find another source of profit described in 2 Timothy 3: 16, " All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,for reproof, for correction." I am so thankful that from the time I was just a little boy, my mother taught me doctrine.
She taught me that " ye must be born again. "She made sure that I knew there is Hell. People do not want to hear about Hell in our day, but there is profit in learning what the Bible says. My mother taught me about sanctification, and about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. When I was sick, Mom would come into my room and kneel down beside my bed and pray for me.
She taught me the doctrine of divine healing. Those teachings brought blessings into my life. I could not get away from them, even though I rebelliously went my own way for a number of years before I finally gave my heart to the Lord.

There is profit in correction. Have you ever observed a child who seemingly is never reproved or corrected? Parents do their children no favor by allowing them to grow up in an undisciplined and uncontrolled manner. What certain heartache that will bring down the line! Thankfully, we have a heavenly Father who believes in correcting us. Sometimes His correction hurts,but if we submit and obey in response to that correction, it is profitable in our lives. We learn and grow through correction.

In what way do you hope to profit in the months ahead? lf you are looking to the things of this world for gain, you will find yourself disappointed. Jesus asked the question, " For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" ( Mark 8: 36). Many people spend their energy seeking gain in possessions, position, or power, but all of these are ultimately worthless. The best of material advantages you can obtain in this world are of no value when compared with eternity. You may work hard at getting what you want, but in the end you will find it hollow and empty, because true and lasting gain is found only in the things of God.

Are you willing to make pursuit of God more important than anything else? You can profit in the days ahead if you make spiritual priorities your focus!

Earl Phillips is on the ministerial staff of the Apostolic Faith Church in Portland, Oregon.