Investing in Character, Not Comfort

In review of 2 Peter 3:18 it says, “Grow in spiritual strength and become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”

Bottom Line:

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

What this means to me:

My growth should be spiritual strength, a growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May all glory be given to him, now and forever.

Today’s verse which comes from the last part of 2 Peter chapter 3. Peter exhorts me to invest more in my character rather than in my comfort.  God wants me to grow up spiritually and become more like His Son Jesus Christ. I can do this by taking some of my money and investing it in myself and my personal growth.

Today’s verse in 2 Peter 3:18 tells me to, “Grow in spiritual strength and become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (TLB).

I can grow in spiritual strength by using my money to develop skills and to educate myself, to become a better leader, a better speaker, a better prayer, or just a better person.

One thing that is for certain is that, when I leave this earth, I won’t be taking anything with me other than my character. In this life, it is very tempting to use money to invest in comfort, but God wants me to use my money to invest in something that’s going to Heaven, my character.

I suppose this means that any time I use my money to buy a Christian book that helps me grow, I’ve invested in what I call God’s a “Growth Fund.” Any time I use some of my money to pay for a retreat or a conference that helps me improve life, I’ve invested in the Growth Fund. Any time I spend money on a class that helps makes me more of what God wants me to be, God smiles and says that’s a good use of money.

The Bible says, “Why spend your money on something that is not real food? .... Listen closely to me, and you will eat what is good; your soul will enjoy the rich food that satisfies” (Isaiah 55:2 NCV).

So I can spend money on junk food or on soul food. So I think I’ll choose to spend money on food for my soul that helps me grow spiritually.