“Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.” Luke 16:9 (NLT)
There’s no better way to use your money than helping people get to heaven.
Jesus says, “Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home” (Luke 16:9 NLT). It’s a verse that many people find confusing.
What Jesus is saying is this: Just like the shrewd manager made friends he could count on later, you should use some of your money to make eternal friends—people who will be in heaven because you gave, and who will welcome you when you arrive.
He’s not saying you can buy your way into heaven, because you can’t. Jesus has already paid the price on the cross. And he’s not saying you can purchase your salvation, because you can’t. Salvation is a free gift of grace.
Jesus is telling you to use your money to build friendships that will go on and on for eternity. When you use your money to help others meet Jesus, you make friends for eternity and gain rewards for eternity.
When you get to heaven one day, imagine there are a hundred people standing at the entrance, clapping and cheering and saying, “We’ve been waiting for you! We’re here because you spent some money to tell us the Good News. We’re now friends for life—no, for eternity! If it weren’t for the way you used your money, we wouldn’t have heard about the way to get to heaven.”
Are you using your money that way? Is anybody going to be in heaven because of your generosity?
When you buy a Bible and give it to somebody who doesn’t have one, you have stored up treasure in heaven. When you support a program that shares the Good News around the world, you have stored up treasure in heaven. When you help build a church, you have stored up treasure in heaven. When you provide monthly support for a missionary, you have stored up treasure in heaven. It’s the highest and best use of your money.
You can’t take it with you, but you can send it on ahead by investing your resources in people who are going to heaven.
What are some of the things you spend money on that do not have an eternal impact?
Whom has God placed in your life that you can share the Good News with?
What are some specific ways you can use your money to invest in eternal friendships?
Are you ready to follow Jesus?
Tell God you trust his promise of salvation through Jesus by praying this prayer:
“Dear Father, you have promised that if I trust in Jesus, I will be saved—not by my works, but by your grace alone. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I confess my sins and ask that you forgive me. And I surrender my life to him.
“Guide me, lead me, and help me to follow Jesus in faith and obedience. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.
