Super(annuation)

Superannuation funds are paid into by employers on behalf of their workers so they will have funds to live on after they retire. These funds have to be paid on a weekly basis and add to the costs of employing staff. It is the obligation of the funds to make sure that there is an increase in these funds by responsible investments. There are a great number of these funds in Australia and they do perform at differing rates of success. What reserves people have available when they retire will depend on just how well these funds perform. Staff members are also able to sacrifice part of their salaries to add to these funds. It is a means of storing up funds against a future need.

While it is a sensible thing to do in order to try and prevent workers being dependant on Government pensions, it is still a material good that can be eroded by the fall of stock markets and bad performances of investments.

Matthew 6:19-21 warms us to “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

That is not telling to be silly when it comes to business practices but it is telling us to remember that in the end all things on earth will rot away and we are not able to take anything into eternity with us. We cannot force people to follow Jesus but if we share the gospel and carry out acts of kindness that help to others make that choice then we are laying up treasure in Heaven.