“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:21
Recently, I had the opportunity to spend time with someone I love. During our conversation, we talked about some practical ways to save money.
Then this person said something that stuck with me:
“I’m all about saving money!”
Almost immediately, another thought came into my mind:
What if we were just as passionate about seeing people saved?
So I asked, “Instead of being all about saving money, what if you became all about helping people find Jesus and become part of God’s Kingdom?”
That opened up an interesting conversation.
I asked, “Have you ever considered that God wants to use YOU to help build His Kingdom? Have you ever actually told Him that you’re willing?”
The answer wasn’t certain.
But what a question for all of us:
Have I ever told God, “I’m available. Use me to help build Your Kingdom”?
On my drive home, something interesting happened. A video appeared in my feed from Megan Fate Erickson titled Let’s Talk About Money. I listened as I drove, and the message centered on what Jesus taught about money.
I immediately shared it with the person I had been talking with.
And then, the very next day, money came up again.
My husband received a call from a young man we had helped get started in business. His business was bringing in enough money to meet payroll and expenses, but he was concerned about whether he was handling everything correctly.
I walked up while my husband had him on speakerphone and said, “Just make sure you’re continuing to tithe.”
He assured me that he was.
Money. Money. Money.
Making it.
Spending it.
Saving it.
Investing it.
Worrying about it.
Trying to make sure we have enough of it.
And suddenly, I began thinking about something Jesus said:
“You cannot serve God and mammon.” — Matthew 6:24
Jesus wasn’t saying money itself is evil. Money can feed someone who is hungry, support ministry, provide for our families, create businesses, employ people, meet needs and accomplish tremendous good.
The problem begins when money stops being something we manage and becomes something that manages us.
When we become all about saving it, spending it, making it, and every other it tied to money
Jesus said:
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:21
Maybe the question isn’t simply:
How much money am I saving?
Maybe it’s:
What am I saving FOR?
Am I building only my kingdom—or am I investing my life in His?
There is nothing wrong with having a savings account. There is wisdom in planning, budgeting and preparing for the future.
But there is something far more valuable than anything we can put into a bank account:
PEOPLE.
People Jesus died to save.
People who need encouragement.
People who need to hear about Jesus.
People who may need someone to pray with them.
People who need practical help.
People God has intentionally placed in our path.
Jesus said:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33
Notice the order.
Kingdom first.
What would happen if every morning, before thinking about what we need to earn, buy, accomplish or save, we prayed:
“Lord, how can I help build Your Kingdom today?”
Maybe there’s someone God wants you to call.
Maybe there’s a struggling family you could quietly bless.
Maybe there’s a business owner you could encourage.
Maybe there’s someone who doesn’t know Jesus who simply needs you to love them well enough to eventually tell them why you have hope.
Maybe God wants you to use your business, your home, your talents, your resources—or simply your story.
And maybe the first step is simply telling Him you’re willing.
A KINGDOM CHALLENGE
For the next seven days, begin your morning with these three questions:
Lord, who can I love today?
Lord, who can I help today?
Lord, how can I use what You’ve given me to build Your Kingdom today?
Then pay attention.
The opportunity may not look spiritual at first.
It may look like a phone call.
A financial need.
A meaningful conversation.
A business owner who needs encouragement.
A stranger.
A neighbor.
Or someone God has already placed right in front of you.
We spend so much of our lives asking:
“How much can I save?”
Maybe Jesus is inviting us to ask a much bigger question:
“Lord, who can You save—and how can You use me?”
PRAYER
Father, everything I have belongs to You. Forgive me for the times I’ve allowed money, possessions, security or fear about the future to occupy a place in my heart that belongs to You.
Teach me to be a wise steward without becoming a servant to money.
Today, I willingly place my time, talents, resources, business, relationships and finances into Your hands.
I’m available, Lord.
Show me the people You’ve placed around me. Give me eyes to see them, courage to speak when You prompt me, generosity when You ask me to give, and wisdom to know when simply loving someone is the ministry You have for me.
I don’t want to spend my whole life building something I’ll eventually leave behind.
I want to invest my life in what lasts forever.
Use me to build Your Kingdom.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
LET’S FACE IT…
Saving money can be wise.
But helping point someone to the Savior? That’s an investment with eternal returns.
