What Jesus Did! 'Investment for the Future' — Luke 12:33-34

Saturday, August 19, 2023

[Jesus continued,] "Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."
— Luke 12:33-34 NLT

Key Thought

"What are your primary investment strategies?" I can still remember a financial planner asking me that question. It wasn't his first question ... or second ... but on down the line, he got around to asking it. In a way, Jesus is really challenging us to face that same question in this passage. In the cycles of our national and world economies, there are "lean" times, and there are times of "plenty." No earthly investment strategy is foolproof. Only when we invest in things that are eternal can we invest in things that are truly guaranteed - things that can't be stolen, destroyed, or ruined. So what are you doing to invest in your eternal future? This question is vital because what we value as our true treasure will be the focus of our hearts.

Today's Prayer

Father, help me build a portfolio of grace, marked by generosity to others and a commitment to things that are eternal. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Look! It's My Obituary
Article by Tim Archer
Is that me among the death notices? I need to think about dying. Not in a scared way, nor some kind of morbid obsession. I need to remember that death is coming… and it's not the end. I need to prepare for my real retirement, the one that will last forever. All of the "busyness" that surrou
Getting Past Your Worries
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Precious One, Yesterday, I spoke to you about fear. Today I want to talk to you about worry and sins that lie behind so many of your worries:..."
A Different Kind of Savings Plan
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, As I will say in the verses below, what I am talking to you about today is a matter of urgency:I'm not just talking theory. There is....."

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 12:33-34 NLT — "Sell your possessions and give to those in need."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, August 19, 2023

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Perseverence' (1 Co. 15:29-34)
"Dear Father, rewarder of all who diligently seek you, Thank you for Jesus, whose life not only taught us how to live, but whose resurrection proved....."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Proverbs 31:10, 27-28
"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies ... She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Persecuting Jesus' (Acts 9:3-5)
"As [Saul] was approaching Damascus on this mission [to arrest and kill Christians], a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'The Holy Spirit Spoke Long Ago' (Ac. 1:15-16)
"[Not long after Jesus' ascension,] Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, "Brothers and sisters, the..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!