“For when he dies he will carry nothing away;
his glory will not go down after him.”
– Psalm 49:17
Consider this helpful reminder from God’s Word – you can’t take it with you! We’ll all die one day, unless Jesus returns first. When we do, any money we’ve saved, invested, earned, swindled, or otherwise accumulated will be left behind. It will no longer do us any good and won’t be under our control.
Jesus talks a great deal about money. Our money-obsessed culture would be wise to listen. We should all listen. Jesus is very clear that money won’t save us and that accumulating money tends to be hazardous to our spiritual health. We start thinking more about money than we do about God. We start getting more emotionally invested in money than we are in Jesus. While money itself isn’t evil, fixating on money leads to all sorts of evil.
Jesus teaches that it’s far better and wiser to recognize that all money is a gift from God, given by Him for us to manage on His behalf. Though we can’t take money with us when we die, when we manage it well, we send it on ahead of us as treasure in heaven. That treasure will last forever and be of benefit to us forever. How can we send money ahead of us to heaven? By managing our money for Christ’s Kingdom!
We turn earthly money into eternal treasure when we invest it in churches and ministries that share the good news of Jesus Christ with those who need to hear it. We manage our money for Christ’s Kingdom when we invest it in churches and ministries that demonstrate the love of Jesus for the most vulnerable in their community and the world – the poor, the oppressed, the sick, the uneducated, widows and orphans.
Rather than living to pile up money in ever increasing amounts (which will never feel like enough), earn money to provide for your family and then give generously and joyfully to bless dozens, hundreds, and thousands in your community and to the end of the earth. Sow into eternity. Find ways to change the physical and spiritual lives of people for generations. It isn’t difficult to do, it just requires the intention and discipline to do it. We live in an amazing age where we’re able to turn the excesses of our situation into blessings for people both near and far. Live simply. Bless abundantly. #FollowJesus