Today's Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:1-10
"The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers."
ROI. Return on investment.
We are wired (some would say conditioned) to expect a return on investment. When we invest in stocks, or bonds, or real estate, or whatever, we want a profitable return on that investment. And the bigger the better.
But we're also taught from a very young age to say "thank you" when someone does something for us. Then, when we get that down, we're taught to say "you're welcome" in return for a thank-you. So, we grow up expecting at least a thank-you when we do something for someone.
It seems as though we tend to expect God to do something, to "bless" us, when we do something when we do something "special" for the Lord. Or even when we simply do what we're supposed to do, like obey his word.
Today's passage kind of reads like the people of God could have easily come to expect just such a thing. After all, Moses said to the people on the eve of their entrance into the Promised Land, "you be careful to keep God's commandments so that you will live in, multiply in, and possess the land."
But there's more to it than a simple transaction.
Certainly we have our promised land of eternal life with the Lord to look forward to. But we also have gain in the here and now.
The Lord was bringing his people into relationship with him. Yes, he wanted them to keep his commandments. And yes, he would lead them into the land he had set aside for them.
More than that, though, he wanted his people to live in relationship with him. The real benefit, the real return on investment was not the land. It was that, by keeping his commandments, the people would know and remember their God.
So the principle to take away from this is not, "obey God and he will bless me." Rather, it's "as I know God in his word and in relationship with him, I will remember him and all he has done for me."
You see, there's where we can reset and navigate life.
Our relationship with God is built upon his word, for it is his revelation of himself to us. We know of him, and know him, through his word in faith in Jesus. As we navigate life, he leads us, and guides us, and helps us. Then the next time when we need his leadership, or guidance, or help, we remember what he has done for us before and trust that he will do so again.
And that right there is plenty enough of a "return on investment."
Think about it …
- Have you been expecting a "return on investment" in the here and now in your relationship with God?
- What are some things God has done in the past that you can use as "anchor points" as you navigate life moving forward?
- Is there someone in your life that you can share a remembrance of God with that might help them?
