April and I had the privilege of having a conversation with a five-year-old, or as he would say, “five and a half,” the other day at church. His mother had posted on Facebook pics and videos of him playing baseball. He’s good!
We were complimenting him on how well he could play. He said, “I know.” That is when he invited us to his next game. “I’m playing Monday night. In Bixby!” he said with excitement in his voice. I was surprised one of his age would be able to communicate that information so well.
Later that day, April and I were trying to see how we could arrange our time in order to make the game. I texted his mother and got the address, the time, and the field number in the sports megaplex. I told April, “We have to go. It will mean a lot to him and be a small investment in his future that could last a lifetime.” We did go, and sure enough, he played well, and his team won, like 14 to 4 over the other team.
You don’t get inventions in the mail with investment opportunities into people’s lives; you have to look for them.
Earthly investing grows what you can keep for a lifetime. Kingdom investing grows what you can keep for eternity. Scripture consistently contrasts these two paths—not to condemn wise financial stewardship, but to show that only one investment has a guaranteed, everlasting return.
Earthly investing is wise and often encouraged in Scripture, but it is limited. Build resources for this life. Proverbs praises diligence, planning, and wise stewardship.
- Proverbs 21:5 — “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance…”
- Proverbs 13:11 — “Whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.”
These verses affirm that earthly investing can be good, responsible, and God‑honoring. Earthly wealth is fragile.
- Proverbs 23:5 — “Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone…”
- Ecclesiastes 5:10 — Wealth never fully satisfies.
No matter how successful, earthly investments end at death.
- 1 Timothy 6:7 — “We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”
Earthly investing is useful, but it cannot outlast mortality.
Kingdom investing is about aligning your resources with God’s eternal purposes. Advance God’s mission and transform lives. Jesus frames this as storing treasure in heaven.
- Matthew 6:19–20 — “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
Kingdom investment is about people, justice, mercy, discipleship, and love.
- Mark 10:29–30 — Jesus promises that sacrifices made for the Kingdom will be repaid “a hundredfold.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 — “Your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Kingdom investments never lose value. Kingdom fruit continues beyond your lifetime.
- 2 Corinthians 4:18 — “What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
- Galatians 6:8 — “Whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
Kingdom investing is measured in transformed hearts, not financial charts.
Earthly investing is about accumulating what you cannot keep. Kingdom investing is about sowing what you cannot lose. Jesus never condemns wise financial planning—but He insists that the greatest investment is the one that outlasts the world itself.
Which part of your life, time, talent, or treasure—do you feel God nudging you to invest more intentionally in His Kingdom?
Copyright © 2026 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.