“Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give happily to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven—it is the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well.” 1 Timothy 6:18-19 (TLB)
Generosity is an investment. Luke 16:9 says, “Use your worldly resources to benefit others” (NLT). I’ve said many times that you can’t take it with you. Did you know that mortuaries sell burial suits? They’re for people who want to be buried in a suit but don’t have one. Do you know what the difference is in a burial suit and a regular suit? There are no pockets in a burial suit. It’s true! You don’t need them, because you can’t take it with you. But you can send it on ahead.
How do you do that? By investing in people who are going there.
The Bible says in 1 Timothy 6:18-19, “Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give happily to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven—it is the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well” (TLB).
Every time you are generous with the poor, a friend, or a neighbor, God says you’re storing up treasure in the bank of heaven. Your time on Earth is only about 80 or at the most 100 years. You’ll spend trillions of years in eternity. Where do you need to have the biggest account?
There’s no greater investment than the Kingdom of God. When you help other people with your time, your money, your resources—whatever you’ve got—you are actually making an investment in heaven.
Your investment is protected in heaven. It pays good rates. It’s proven. There are great dividends and no risks.
You’re not going to get that kind of investment anywhere else!
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
Talk It Over
Why do we sometimes find it easier to make an investment in our earthly bank account rather than in heaven? Which is more fulfilling?
What is the risk of making an earthly investment over an eternal one?
If salvation is based on God’s grace, why do you think he still wants you to do good works?
This devotional © 2023 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Every time you are generous with the poor, a friend, or a neighbor, God says you’re storing up treasure in the bank of heaven. Learn more about making wise, eternal investments in today’s #DailyHope devotional.
Rick Warren Bio
Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church, one of America’s largest and most influential churches. Pastor Rick is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life. His book The Purpose Driven Church was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. Pastor Rick created The PEACE Plan to address the five global giants—spiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracy—through the power of ordinary people in the local church. His Daily Hope broadcast and daily devotionals are offered around the world. You can listen to the broadcast or sign up for the free devotionals at PastorRick.com.
Tags
40 Days of Community – 2023, Community, Giving, Money, Heaven, Eternity, Choices, Service, 1 Timothy 6, Luke 16
Broadcast Series: 40 Days of Community – 2023
Sermon Series: 40 Days of Community
Sermon: 016206_Living a Generous Life
