Inflation is a hot topic these days. If you purchase anything, you surely have noticed that either the price of the item has increased, or the size of the package is smaller than before.
We want to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us, so we look for ways to mitigate the impact of inflation. Those who have excess funds may invest in the stock market or put money in savings. However, the current rate of return from both is not keeping pace with inflation. Money that is sitting in these kinds of investments is continually decreasing in value. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to lose money that I’ve worked hard to earn.
So, is there a way to “beat” inflation? Yes, there is. Jennie B. Wilson wrote the song, “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand.” Verse 3 of the song says, “Covet not this world’s vain riches, that so rapidly decay; seek to gain the heavenly treasures, they will never pass away.” I hear in these lines the echo of Jesus’ words 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.”
Right now, you can beat inflation and lay up treasure in heaven. Here are two opportunities:
First, our ministry partner in Malawi would like us to broadcast our Bible teaching programs to the 9 million people in Malawi who speak the Chichewa (Chi-chay-wah) language. He believes it would be very effective in discipling new believers.
A daily 15-minute program, on an FM network that would cover most of the country, would cost $54,000 annually. That figures out to $207 per broadcast. If only 2% of the population listen, that’s still 180,000 people. Two people can be reached for every 3 cents! The HOH Team that visited Malawi in August believes the number of listeners will be much higher than 2%.
The second opportunity is in an unnamed country because of its sensitivity in the mostly Muslim community. The project is to raise the height of an existing radio tower so more listeners can be reached. The cost of the extension will be about $8,000, and so far, we have received $3,500. If you want to help, label your donation, “Tower Extension.” If you would like the ambiguity cleared up, contact Arlin and he will give you more specifics.
Together, let’s beat inflation and increase our treasure in Heaven.
-J. Mark Horst