Eternal Perspective on Money – Biblical Guide To Money 13

Introduction

As Christians, our perspective on money and possessions should be radically different from that of the world. While the world often sees money as a means to power, security, and happiness, the Bible teaches us to view it in light of eternity. Our financial decisions and priorities should be shaped not by the fleeting values of this age, but by the unchanging realities of God’s kingdom. In this study, we will explore what it means to have an eternal perspective on money, the biblical principles that should guide our financial stewardship, and practical ways to align our resources with God’s purposes and priorities.

Key Verses

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21, NKJV)

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19, NKJV)

These verses emphasize the importance of investing in eternal treasures rather than earthly possessions, and using our wealth to do good, be generous, and store up rewards in heaven.

Reflective Questions

1. What are some of the ways that the world’s perspective on money differs from a biblical, eternal perspective?
2. How have you personally experienced the tension between earthly and eternal priorities in your own financial life?

The Temporary Nature of Earthly Treasures

One of the key principles of an eternal perspective on money is recognizing the temporary and fleeting nature of earthly treasures. The Bible consistently warns us against putting our hope and security in material possessions, which are subject to decay, loss, and obsolescence.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus contrasts the folly of laying up treasures on earth with the wisdom of investing in heavenly rewards. He points out that earthly treasures are vulnerable to moths, rust, and thieves, while heavenly treasures are secure and lasting (Matthew 6:19-20).

This principle is echoed throughout Scripture, from the Old Testament wisdom literature to the New Testament epistles. Proverbs 23:5 warns, “Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven” (NKJV). Ecclesiastes 5:15 observes, “As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand” (NKJV).

In the New Testament, James rebukes the rich who hoard wealth and live in luxury, warning them that their riches will rot and their garments will be moth-eaten (James 5:2-3). Paul urges Timothy to command the rich not to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God (1 Timothy 6:17).

These passages remind us that our material possessions, no matter how valuable or impressive, are ultimately temporary and cannot provide lasting security or satisfaction. They are gifts from God to be stewarded and enjoyed, but they are not our ultimate source of worth, identity, or hope.

Recognizing the temporary nature of earthly treasures frees us from the tyranny of materialism and the endless pursuit of more. It allows us to hold our possessions loosely and to be generous with what we have, knowing that our true security and inheritance are found in Christ.

The Parable of the Rich Fool

One of the most poignant illustrations of the folly of trusting in earthly treasures is found in Jesus’ parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21). In this story, a wealthy landowner has a bountiful harvest and decides to tear down his barns and build bigger ones to store his crops and goods. He congratulates himself on his prosperity and looks forward to a life of ease and pleasure.

But God calls the man a fool and demands his life that very night, exposing the futility of his self-centered hoarding. Jesus concludes the parable by warning, “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21, NKJV).

This parable reveals the danger of finding our security and identity in our possessions rather than in our relationship with God. It exposes the foolishness of living for temporary pleasures and neglecting eternal priorities. It challenges us to examine our own hearts and to ask ourselves where our treasure truly lies.

Are we, like the rich fool, consumed with accumulating and preserving wealth for ourselves? Or are we rich toward God, using our resources to bless others, advance His kingdom, and store up treasures in heaven?

An eternal perspective on money recognizes that our true wealth and security are found not in what we own, but in who we are in Christ. It prioritizes using our resources to love God, serve others, and invest in things that will last forever.

Reflective Questions

1. In what ways have you experienced the temporary or fleeting nature of earthly possessions or financial security?
2. How does the parable of the rich fool challenge or convict you in your own attitudes and practices related to money and possessions?

Investing in Eternal Rewards

If earthly treasures are temporary and uncertain, what should we be investing in from an eternal perspective? The Bible calls us to seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33) and to store up treasures in heaven that will last forever.

Laying Up Treasures in Heaven

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus urges His followers to lay up treasures in heaven, where they are secure from decay and theft (Matthew 6:20). He doesn’t specify exactly what these treasures are, but the context suggests that they are the rewards that come from living a life of righteousness, generosity, and service to others.

Other passages give us clues about the nature of these heavenly treasures. In 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, Paul uses the analogy of building materials to describe the enduring quality of our work for Christ:

“Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (NKJV)

This passage suggests that our eternal rewards are based on the quality and faithfulness of our service to Christ, not on the quantity or impressiveness of our earthly achievements. It reminds us that our ultimate motivation should be to please and glorify God, not to gain human acclaim or material success.

In Revelation 22:12, Jesus declares, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (NKJV). This verse points to the future reality of Christ’s return and the distribution of rewards to His faithful servants. It underscores the eternal significance of our lives and choices, and the importance of living with a long-term perspective.

Laying up treasures in heaven means investing our time, talents, and resources in things that have eternal value, such as:

• Growing in our relationship with God and becoming more like Christ
• Loving and serving others, especially those in need
• Sharing the gospel and making disciples
• Supporting the work of the church and missions
• Developing godly character and wisdom
• Raising children to know and love God
• Using our skills and influence to promote justice and righteousness in society
• Practicing generosity and contentment, rather than hoarding or consuming

When we prioritize these kinds of investments, we are storing up treasures that will last forever and bring us joy and fulfillment in this life and the next.

The Parable of the Unjust Steward

Another perspective on investing in eternal rewards is found in Jesus’ parable of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1-13). In this story, a wealthy man discovers that his steward has been wasting his possessions and fires him. The steward, facing a crisis, decides to use his final days on the job to make friends with his master’s debtors by reducing their bills, hoping that they will welcome him into their homes when he is unemployed.

Jesus commends the steward’s shrewdness (though not his dishonesty) and draws a spiritual lesson: “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home” (Luke 16:9, NKJV). He goes on to emphasize the importance of faithfulness in little things, including the use of worldly wealth, as a prerequisite for being entrusted with true riches (Luke 16:10-12).

This parable suggests that we should use our earthly resources strategically to invest in relationships and ministries that will bear fruit for eternity. Just as the steward used his master’s money to secure his future, we can use our wealth to “make friends” by blessing others and supporting God’s work, trusting that these investments will be rewarded in the age to come.

This doesn’t mean that we should give or serve with a selfish motive of gaining rewards for ourselves. Rather, it means recognizing that our use of money has eternal implications and choosing to align our priorities and practices with God’s kingdom purposes.

Reflective Questions

1. What are some specific ways that you can invest your time, talents, and resources in things that have eternal value?
2. How does the parable of the unjust steward challenge you to think strategically about using your earthly wealth for eternal purposes?

Cultivating Contentment and Generosity

Another key aspect of an eternal perspective on money is cultivating a heart of contentment and generosity. When we recognize that our true treasure is in heaven and that God is our ultimate provider and security, we are freed from the grip of greed and materialism and empowered to hold our possessions loosely and share them freely.

The Secret of Contentment

In Philippians 4:11-13, the apostle Paul shares the secret of contentment that he has learned through his experiences of abundance and need:

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (NKJV)

Paul’s contentment is not based on his external circumstances, but on his relationship with Christ and his trust in God’s provision and purposes. He has learned to be satisfied with whatever God provides, whether much or little, and to rely on Christ’s strength to face any situation.

This kind of contentment is a mark of spiritual maturity and a fruit of an eternal perspective on money. When we find our ultimate security and joy in God, we are less driven by the desire for more possessions or better circumstances. We can appreciate and enjoy the good gifts that God gives us, but we don’t depend on them for our happiness or identity.

Cultivating contentment involves practices such as:

• Regularly expressing gratitude for God’s blessings and provision
• Choosing to focus on what we have rather than what we lack
• Finding joy and fulfillment in relationships, experiences, and serving others, rather than in accumulating wealth or status
• Trusting in God’s care and provision, even in times of hardship or uncertainty
• Learning to be content with simplicity and to resist the pressure to keep up with the latest trends or luxuries

As we grow in contentment, we are better able to steward our resources wisely and generously, holding them with an open hand rather than a clenched fist.

The Blessings of Generosity

An eternal perspective on money also leads to a heart of generosity, as we recognize that our resources are ultimately God’s and are meant to be shared with others. The Bible consistently teaches that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35) and that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

In 1 Timothy 6:17-19, Paul urges the rich to be generous and willing to share, storing up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age. He sees generosity not as a burdensome duty, but as a means of laying hold of the life that is truly life.

Other passages highlight the blessings and rewards that come from generosity. Proverbs 11:24-25 declares, “There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself” (NKJV). Luke 6:38 promises, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (NKJV).

These verses suggest that generosity has both spiritual and practical benefits. When we give freely and sacrificially, we experience the joy and blessing of participating in God’s work and seeing Him provide for our needs in abundance. We store up treasures in heaven and build a legacy of faithfulness and service that will last beyond our earthly lives.

Cultivating generosity involves practices such as:

• Regularly setting aside a portion of our income for giving, whether through tithing, offerings, or spontaneous gifts
• Prayerfully seeking God’s guidance on how to steward and share our resources
• Looking for opportunities to bless and serve others, both within and beyond our immediate circles
• Giving sacrificially and cheerfully, rather than grudgingly or under compulsion
• Trusting God to provide for our needs as we give generously to others
• Developing a vision for how our generosity can make a difference in the world and advance God’s kingdom purposes

As we cultivate contentment and generosity, we align our hearts and actions with an eternal perspective on money. We experience the freedom and joy of living with open hands and hearts, trusting in God’s provision and partnering with Him to bless others and store up treasures in heaven.

Reflective Questions

1. How have you experienced the secret of contentment in your own life, and what practices help you cultivate a content heart?
2. In what ways have you been blessed by the generosity of others, and how can you grow in your own practice of generosity?

Conclusion

An eternal perspective on money is essential for living as faithful stewards and disciples of Christ in a world that often worships wealth and materialism. As we have seen, the Bible consistently teaches us to recognize the temporary nature of earthly treasures, invest in eternal rewards, and cultivate contentment and generosity with our resources.

This perspective doesn’t mean that money is inherently evil or that we should neglect our earthly responsibilities and needs. Rather, it means aligning our financial priorities and practices with God’s kingdom purposes and values, and using our resources to honor Him, serve others, and store up treasures in heaven.

Developing an eternal perspective on money is a lifelong journey that requires ongoing transformation of our hearts and minds. It involves regularly examining our attitudes and actions in light of God’s Word, seeking His guidance and provision, and surrounding ourselves with a community of believers who can encourage and challenge us to be faithful stewards.

Ultimately, an eternal perspective on money flows out of a deep love for God and a desire to glorify Him with every aspect of our lives, including our finances. It is a recognition that our true treasure is not in earthly possessions or achievements, but in our relationship with Christ and our inheritance in His kingdom.

As we navigate the challenges and opportunities of financial stewardship in a fallen world, may we keep our eyes fixed on eternity and our hearts anchored in the love and promises of God. May we use our resources to make an eternal impact and to lay up treasures that will last forever. And may we experience the joy and freedom of living with open hands and hearts, trusting in God’s provision and partnering with Him to advance His purposes in the world.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58, NKJV)

Final Reflective Questions

1. What has been the most impactful or challenging lesson for you from this study on an eternal perspective on money?
2. How will you apply these principles and insights in your own financial stewardship and decision-making?
3. In what ways can your eternal perspective on money be a witness and testimony to others, both within and outside the church?
4. What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper love for God and a greater desire to glorify Him with your finances and your life as a whole?

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How Does Financial Integrity Relate to an Eternal Perspective on Money?

Financial integrity is rooted in financial honesty principles, guiding individuals to manage their resources responsibly. When viewed through an eternal perspective, money becomes a tool for fulfilling higher purposes, emphasizing stewardship over self-interest. This approach fosters a meaningful relationship with wealth, prioritizing values that endure beyond material possessions.