Take It To The Bank

Take It to the Bank

How far would you go to rescue your life savings? Let’s hope you’re never in Louis Remme’s shoes. On February 18, 1855, the cattle dealer deposited $12,500 in the Sacramento branch of the Adams & Co. bank. That’s still a lot of money today, but back then people earned about thirty dollars a month. So you can imagine how Louis felt when, just days later, news arrived that the largest financial institution west of the Alleghenies had gone belly up. People panicked. They raced to withdraw their money. And by the time Louis got back to Sacramento, he was too late. Nothing was left.

What would you have done? Keep in mind that news traveled slowly in 1855. No Internet. No telephones. No radio. In fact, Louis realized the bank branch in Portland, Oregon, had no telegraph or Pony Express, either. They didn’t know yet! If he could reach Portland ahead of the news-carrying ocean steamer, he could cash in his receipt while it was still worth something. So he borrowed a fast horse and began riding. And riding. He covered 665 miles in 143 hours, trading exhausted horses for fresh ones and sleeping just ten hours along the way. Louis barely beat the steamer, but he collected his $12,500 in fifty-dollar gold pieces.

Some people will go to great lengths to preserve worldly wealth. One guy in the New Testament was so worried about losing his stuff that he was willing to trade something far more valuable: heaven. One day, a rich young man asked Jesus how to be saved. The Lord told him to sell everything he had, give the money to the poor, and follow him. That price was too steep. The young man valued earthly treasures more (see Matthew 19:21-22). Was Jesus saying we have to sell everything we own in order to be Christians? No. He does, however, want the things we value most to be completely surrendered and available to him. It’s the wisest investment we’ll ever make!

Daddy-Daughter Time

Consider Jesus’ words to the wealthy young man in light of his parable about investing God’s resources wisely (see Matthew 25:14-30). What’s a healthy balance? How do you and your family attempt to honor God by managing money wisely? Think of creative ways you can invest in heavenly things.

What’s The Word?

Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.   Matthew 19:21-22