This topic is adapted from the Scott Creps YouTube channel.
Jesus talked a lot about money. In fact, he talked more about money than love or forgiveness. Why? Because what you do with your money reveals what is important to you. And when it comes to saving money, Jesus offers one idea that will forever change the way you think about your bank account.
[Related: How to Become a Successful Money Manager]
Jesus Views Giving as Saving
When most Christians create a budget, they have a space for giving (hopefully) and saving. These are two separate categories. When they think of saving money they think of saving money for a new house, an emergency fund, college tuition, a new car, or a dream vacation. But in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expands the concept of saving beyond these earthly things.
Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV) 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.
Jesus encourages people to save for eternity. Most people think of saving money as just involving saving money for stuff in this life. But when you give to your local church, missionaries, or for the building of God’s kingdom you are actually saving your money in the best way possible. No matter how much money you save in your bank account, it will all disappear one day. But if you spend your money on God, the value of your money will never go away.
Every Time You Give to God You’re Saving and Investing
Jesus is challenging his people to rethink what saving means. Certainly, it’s still important to save money for a rainy day or future purchases. But start thinking of giving as an investment. You aren’t just investing in your future happiness or setting up your kids for a good life, you are investing in eternity. When you give you are putting your money into something that will never wear out or lose value.
[Related: Are There Rewards in Heaven?]
Discussion Questions:
- Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
- What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
- On a scale of 1-10, how good are you at being generous?
- Read Matthew 6:19-21. Where do you invest most of your treasure?
- Why should you view giving as a form of saving your money?
- What adjustments do you need to make in order to be more in-step with Jesus’ view of saving?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
