There is no shortage of advisors. Lots of people are more than willing to tell you how to spend your money. Most of them, for a fee, will help you spend it to earn more. All of them will tell you they are concerned for your future.
I’m not trying to compete with them, but I just want to say that the Bible does give us instructions on how to spend our money. “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.” (Matthew 6:19-20)
If Jesus counsels us to invest in heaven, how do we do that? The only thing of eternal value in heaven is people. So I think Jesus is telling us to use our money to help get people into heaven. Obviously, this isn’t about buying our way or paying for someone to get into heaven – salvation is a free gift – but there are many people who don’t know that salvation is a free gift. They need someone to tell them.
That’s why it’s good to invest in your local congregation which provides services and ministries to reach the community. This coming Sunday, we’ll see four people baptized in Jesus’ name because people are investing in heaven.
You can invest in a missionary or ministry that is sharing the gospel in another country. You can help radio, TV and internet ministry make the case for faith in a secular world. These are ways that we store up treasures in heaven. We invest in reaching people.
As long as you remain here on earth, it will be difficult to get a full statement regarding the value of heavenly investments you have made. Our heavenly Father certainly sees and knows. I think it will surprise all of us when we get to heaven and see just how important it was to put our money in the right place.
