Use My Money to Invest 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” (TLB).

Today’s verse is 2 Peter 3:18. It comes at the end of Peter’s 2nd letter. In it Peter tells me to let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help me to keep on growing.

The sinful world I live in will always compete and challenge my faith. I need to pursue getting to know him better and better and drawing closer to Him every day, so that I can be prepared to stand for truth in any and all circumstances I will face and be tempted with.

God wants me to grow up spiritually and become more like Jesus Christ. How do I do that? By taking some of my money and investing it in myself and my personal growth. The Bible says in 2 Peter 3:18, “Grow in spiritual strength and become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (TLB).

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

Ultimately, I will not be taking my car, house and savings account with me to heaven, but I will be taking my character. While it may be tempting to use my money to invest in my comfort and enjoyment, God wants me to use my money to invest in something that’s going to heaven: my character.

That means anytime I use my money to buy a Christian book that helps me grow, I’ve invested in God’s “Growth Fund.” Anytime I use some of my money to pay for a retreat or a conference that helps me improve my life, I’ve invested in the Growth Fund. Anytime 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 my 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).

I can spend my money on “junk food” or “soul food.” I need to choose to spend my money on things for my soul that will help me grow spiritually.

Bottom Line:

Grow in understanding of Jesus, his character is an example for our growth.

What this means to me:

I need continue to grow in the grace, knowledge and understanding of Jesus my savior. This will help to build my character, which is more important than my comfort.

In summary, let the kindness and understanding that come from Christ help me to grow. There are things in this life that will compete with and challenge my faith. I can combat this by getting to know him better day by day. I can grow by taking some of my money and investing it in myself and my personal growth. Ultimately the only thing I will take with me into heaven is my character. So use resources I have today to help me grow my character.

My character is the most important thing. It will remain with me, so I need to help it grow and become more like Christ. I choose integrity, humility, generosity and purpose as high values in my life. I pray this morning Father that I can see things from your perspective and grow my character by modeling Jesus, especially as I face tasks, decisions and leading others. I ask for your continue wisdom and guidance in decisions I make. Help me to be loving in my responses to others. Help me to value others today. These things I pray in your Son Jesus name, amen!