God is not vague. He does not operate in gray! For that reason, we can take His Word to the bank. This is not an earthly bank in the way we typically think of banks. This bank has a vault that is secure and guaranteed! It is not secured by man, but secured by our Creator. Man’s banks and guarantees will fail; God’s bank will not. The safety and great returns that man’s banks promise are just temporary and based on man’s word. God’s bank has a vault that needs no insurance because He (the Creator) is the guarantor! Those who trust man’s banks are tossed back and forth because of fear and greed. The ambition to create Heaven on Earth is driven by greed and the fear of losing out.
Man is never satisfied and his bank is often built on that principle. (“Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.” Proverbs 27:20). Because they have put their trust in the one and only true God who created a bank for their security and deposits, the depositors in God’s bank vault are safe! Who are they? His offspring.
Why should I ponder the two options? Because we are only here for a short while. The deposits placed in man’s bank die when we do! Deposits and trust in God’s bank mean that we are entrusting the Lord God with our goals, aspirations, and finances, both in this life and beyond. What are the benefits? Peace and eternity! Yes, when we as men begin to seek God’s will by learning and abiding in His Word, then our security is in Him and not in what we make, what we have, or what we do! Yes, we move from earthly banking run by men to the Lord’s bank. Instead of FDIC we move to LPAP (Lord Provides and Protects). The Lord is clear that He will always provide for and protect His children. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 46:1-3.
Does that mean we won’t have tough times here on Earth? No. As children of God, we will have tough times. John 16:33 speaks to this truth when Jesus says “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
While man’s institutions will fail, God’s will not! The life we live now is only for a short period, but the heavenly crowns that await are eternal. Jesus says in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on Earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” So what should we do with this news?
The real gift is that God has already done the work for you and me. He is just waiting for you to accept your sonship. Because you and I were sinners, He sent His Son to the cross to atone for your sins and mine––He did the work! His bank isn’t exclusively for the wealthy, like earthly financial institutions. His bank is for the poor as well. In fact, at the Lord’s bank, you don’t receive a private banker based on the amount you deposit. The Lord’s bank has no minimum deposits. Your only requirement is faith in His Son, Jesus. He becomes your ‘Private Banker,’ Protector, and Guide. Why is this important for us as men? Because our only true security is in our Creator! Earthly institutions will never provide you with security on Earth or in Heaven! Yet, we have a Father in Heaven who wants His children to be with Him. He also wants us to trust that if He created the Heavens and Earth, we could certainly trust Him to protect us if earthly institutions fail!
Men, we are all sinners who have fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) However, we have been given a gift of salvation not only so we can spend eternity in Heaven, but have hope and rest while on earth. Come to me and I will give you rest—all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke—for it fits perfectly—and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens – Matthew 11:28-30.
God’s bank requires only faith!
Red Truck Men,
Stephen L Thomas