Resources by Topic: Money and Giving

The primary passage of Scripture that talks about storing up treasures in Heaven is Matthew 6:19-21, where Jesus tells us to transfer our wealth from one place to another.

Jesus says, “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them” (Matthew 6:1). The illustrations that follow include prayer and fasting, but begin with giving. When you give to the needy, He says, don’t announce it, as do the hypocrites, who want to be honored by men.

I encourage you to endeavor to “hold hands” with your wife, as Randy says above. Walk together in this without pushing or pulling too hard. Patiently keep on praying for the Holy Spirit to move in both your hearts. 

Randy has said what it sounds like you already know: “When you’re walking with God, inheriting money can be a blessing. When you’re not walking with God, often money will only fund your sin.”

A reader wrote our ministry, “For several years my husband and I have enjoyed giving most of our discretionary income to our church and various missionaries. But lately we have been counseled that we need to be more ‘responsible’ about preparing for our future.”

Your desire to invest in what’s eternal through generosity is admirable. We certainly don’t want to discourage anyone from pursuing radical generosity! 

Randy was a guest on the Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast to discuss the powerful and counter-intuitive truth that, no matter your circumstances, you can discover that “giving is the good life.” 

Randy had a conversation with Don Cousins, senior lead pastor of Discovery Church in Orlando. They spoke about what to expect on the New Earth, storing up treasures in Heaven, and how events in Randy’s life have shaped him.

The greatest legacy we can leave our children is our example of a meaningful spiritual life which includes a God-honoring attitude toward money. If you have younger kids or grandkids, a great way to teach them about generosity is through the Generous Kids Book Club.

For Nanci and me, the process of discovering God’s will about money and possessions was exciting and liberating. Our growth in financial stewardship closely paralleled our overall spiritual growth. In fact, it propelled it. 

John 3:16 is one of the best-known Bible verses: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” In short, love gives. Love gives time. Love gives money. Love gives what others might consider ours but what we know to be God’s.

A reader on my Facebook page asked this question about the nature of treasures in Heaven: “What does that even mean to ‘store your treasures in heaven’? What treasures are we storing up?!”

This article is a great reminder that gratitude is key to living a generous life. May you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving, celebrating all Jesus has done for us!

The process of discovering God’s countercultural will about money and possessions can both excite and liberate. For my late wife, Nanci, and me, our growth in financial stewardship paralleled our spiritual growth. In fact, it propelled it.