By Colin Chance, November 17, 2023

What if you were offered an investment opportunity unlike any other? One that required you to relinquish control of your current assets but promised the greatest imaginable return with an ironclad guarantee. I’m sure your skeptical instincts, like mine, would be on high alert.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches, “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 ESV) Considering the brevity of our lives on earth, it makes sense to heed Jesus’ wisdom and prioritize eternal treasures. Sacrificing worldly pleasures for an everlasting reward offers the most extraordinary return on investment.

However, we often fail to live with eternity in mind. Why does this happen? Why do we get caught up in the concerns of this world, forgetting to consider the birds and lilies? It’s as if we base our decisions on the assumption that we’ll remain on Earth rather than moving on to heaven. If someone were to examine your daily thoughts, would they find that most of your big and small choices aim at improving your life here on Earth or are made from an eternal perspective? The Bible doesn’t imply that these two objectives must be mutually exclusive, but J.D. Greear put it this way: “joyful sacrifice is when you give up something you love for something you love even more.” 

But merely following biblical principles and obeying “Christian rules” to obtain a great heavenly reward doesn’t get to the heart of Jesus’ words. It’s not a call for us to invest our time, talent, and treasure in completing a checklist of good deeds in exchange for a heavenly payout. This perspective distorts the essence of Christianity because it suggests that God wants something from us rather than desiring the best for us. God doesn’t depend on our abilities or wealth, nor is He just a mentor guiding us to invest in the future instead of living for the moment.

Rather, Jesus is inviting us to orient our time, talent, and treasure according to His will so that we might save our souls. He goes on to say, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21 ESV) Jesus isn’t solely concerned with your earthly investments for a heavenly mansion. Christianity isn’t a “pay-to-play” religion. Jesus is teaching us to spend our days and money and use our giftings in a way that ripples into eternity. A good practical question to ask when allocating your investments is, “Is the motive of this investment for God’s glory or to build my own kingdom”? He’s invited us into a deeper relationship with Him in all that we do. This includes investing our resources here on earth in a way that draws us and others closer to Him. By prioritizing these choices that align with our faith, we can experience the richness of a life lived in His love and anticipate the immeasurable reward of an eternal union with our Savior.