Money On The Move | Pastor Nate Keeler
We all want to be financially secure, build our savings, and invest in the future. But Jesus challenges us to reconsider what true wealth really is. His teaching on wealth reveals a profound truth: our worth isn’t defined by what we possess but by how we give. Jesus urges us to seek a greater treasure—one that moths and thieves cannot take. Let’s dive into His call to invest in eternity, redefine wealth, and experience the freedom that generosity brings.
Jesus’ Definition of True Wealth
In the book of Luke, Jesus tells us, “Seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” He points to a life beyond possessions, inviting us to be “rich toward God” rather than rich in material goods. What does being rich toward God look like? It’s about embracing His priorities, helping others, and living in a way that reflects His love and generosity.
When Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” He’s asking us to examine what we value most. Possessions will wear out, but the impact of our generosity and love for others lasts. Real wealth, according to Jesus, is found in investing in others and using our resources for His purposes.
Temporal Possessions vs. Eternal Investments
Jesus gives a clear message: earthly wealth is temporary, but investing in people has eternal significance. The world encourages us to accumulate more, but Jesus directs us to invest our resources where they’ll truly count—in people’s lives. When we support others, financially or otherwise, we’re laying up treasures in Heaven.
Jesus offers a challenge: are we investing in what is eternal or clinging to what is temporary? Wealth defined by possessions is fragile, but wealth defined by generosity is enduring. He calls us to move our focus from accumulating to giving, from self-centered pursuits to Kingdom-centered priorities.
The Example of Lady Huntington
A powerful example of this Kingdom-focused generosity is Lady Huntington, an aristocrat in England during the Great Awakening. After hearing George Whitefield preach, she felt moved to use her influence and wealth to bring the Gospel to England’s elite. She opened her home to host gatherings, inviting influential leaders, politicians, and royalty to hear Whitefield preach.
She later went even further, investing her fortune in building churches and supporting Christian ministries. Lady Huntington’s life demonstrates how true riches come from what we give, not what we have. Her generosity impacted thousands, proving that wealth used for God’s Kingdom has lasting power.
How Do You Define Wealth?
Lady Huntington understood that her wealth could be a tool for something greater. Jesus prompts us to examine our own lives and ask, “How do we define wealth?” Do we define it by what we accumulate, or by what we contribute to others?
Jesus asks us to view wealth through the lens of generosity. When we’re rich in kindness, giving, and selflessness, we align our hearts with His. In Luke 12, He tells us that where our treasure is, there our heart will follow. If we invest in helping others, sharing our resources, and pointing people to Him, we’re building a lasting legacy that’s far more valuable than any earthly possession.
The Power of Generosity
Greed is a subtle trap, tempting us to put our hope in what we own rather than in God. But generosity is the antidote. When we give freely, we break the hold that possessions have on us and enter into a new freedom—an orbit around eternal treasures. Randy Alcorn, in The Treasure Principle, says, “Generosity breaks us out of our orbit around our possessions.” It shifts our focus from getting to giving, from worrying about our needs to trusting in God’s provision.
Our lives are like a “treasure map” leading to an eternal fortune. Each act of generosity builds a lasting wealth in God’s Kingdom. Jesus invites us to place our few “loaves and fishes” into His hands, believing that He can multiply our giving for eternal impact. The result is a life rich in joy, purpose, and eternal value.
An Eternal Perspective on Wealth
Jesus doesn’t condemn wealth, but He warns that we must steward it wisely. Our earthly bank accounts may hold money, but our eternal accounts reflect acts of kindness, service, and generosity toward others. Each time we choose to give, we deposit into our eternal account. Jesus tells us that one day we’ll see the impact of these deposits in lives changed and people entering the Kingdom.
Imagine standing before God and seeing how your giving helped someone know Him. Every dollar given, every sacrifice made, becomes part of an eternal story that you’re writing now. In light of eternity, every resource we have is an opportunity to invest in something far greater than ourselves.
Conclusion: Are You Building an Eternal Fortune?
In the end, Jesus’ message is clear: real wealth isn’t what we have but what we give. He challenges us to move from collecting possessions to sharing them, from defining success by what we own to defining it by how we love and serve others. By focusing on eternity, we gain a new perspective, one that’s rich in purpose, free from the grip of greed, and anchored in God’s unchanging love.
Whether you’re blessed with much or little, you have resources to share. Jesus invites each of us to consider how we’re defining wealth. Are we counting what we can give, or what we can gain? When we choose generosity, we discover the joy and freedom that only God can provide. We discover true riches that last forever.