The United States at the end of 2012 had 30.5 billion barrels of crude oil in reserve. That’s in addition to the Strategic Petroleum Reserves, which can store an additional 727 million barrels.
Food reserves used to be the same. As late as 2003, the USDA had accumulated so much powdered milk in its efforts to support dairy prices that it was given to ranchers for cattle feed.
Television ads ask tough questions about our financial plans. How much will we need in retirement to support our current standard of living? $100,000? $500,000? $1 million? How can we build those reserves?
God’s Word speaks to the wise man who prepares for the future. Proverbs 13:22 tells us that “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children.” Proverbs 10:4 tells us that “the hand of the diligent makes rich.”
However, where are our real riches to be found?
Luke 12:24 says:
“Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!”
Our true wealth is in the storehouses of God.
Haggai 2:19 says:
“Is the seed still in the barn? Even including the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree, it has not borne fruit. Yet from this day on I will bless you.”
Even when we are not diligent in planning for the future, God lays out blessings to provide for us.
Matthew 6:26 says:
“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
We should prepare for our futures, but worry? Why, when God values us and will provide for us.
Proverbs 3:9-10 tells us:
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.”
If we choose to honor God first and foremost, he will honor us in return, and we will be surrounded by the best this world has to offer.
What we can amass for ourselves pales in comparison to what God has ready to supply to those who honor him.
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