Let’s Talk About SVB, Bank Collapses & a Warning from Jesus

My bank will never collapse. Here's why I'm so sure of that.

Last weekend, Silicon Valley Bank collapsed. I have no idea how that could happen, but I do know that it doesn’t bode well. 

If that were the end of the story, it probably wouldn’t be that big of a deal, but only a few days later, Signature Bank in New York was also shuttered. And today, the news shows are reporting that several other banks are on the verge of collapse.

As I said, I don’t understand how this could happen or what it means for average folks like you and me, but I’m old enough to remember my elders lamenting the 1920s when banks collapsed all over America, leaving millions in financial ruin.

Are we on the verge of a repeat 1920s-style collapse? Are we all going to lose our cash? Will we be left broke? Who knows! This could be nothing, or it could be the beginning of something big. 

The frightening thing for a lot of folks is that, in spite of decades of economic stability, it could all come crashing down without a moment’s notice, and there is nothing you and I can do about it. 

Sadly, if a man’s bank account is the substance of his life, his life is over once he loses his money. 

This is why Jesus warned us about being too preoccupied with money and the stuff money can buy. That’s because of all the things that we can invest in, material things are the least reliable. You and I can argue with this or ignore it, but we will not escape it. 

As a reminder of what Jesus said about money, let me share a couple of passages.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

—Matthew 6:19-21

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.”

—Luke 16:13-15

As I said, we might not want to listen to his warnings about money (since we love money so much), but I’m convinced that we know deep down that he’s telling the truth. 

There’s no physical thing in the entire universe that will stand the test of time. Not one single thing.

Long ago, I prioritized my life to put eternity on the front burner. Once I did that, I found out that I was unsurprised by the ebb and flow of material possessions. There have been times where Miss Kay and I were turning the couches upside down looking for quarters and dimes just to have enough cash for milk and bread. But there have also been times where God has blessed us with more money than we ever dreamed of having. 

I’m not going to lie: It sure is easier to have cash coming in than it is to barely scrape by. But either way, our greatest treasure can’t be found in the couch or the bank. Instead, we invested in more valuable treasures, the ones we laid up in heaven many years ago. Moths, rust, decay, and bank failures may evaporate our material wealth overnight. But what those destructive forces can’t touch is our eternal treasure. Can’t lay a hand on it.

My treasure is in a lock box in heaven, and nothing on earth can touch it. My bank will never collapse. Ever!

Image credit: Mariia Shalabaieva on Unsplash