Invest in Your Character, Not Your Comfort

by Rick Warren — December 14, 2021
From God’s Vision for the Rest of Your Life

“Grow in spiritual strength and become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

2 Peter 3:18 (TLB)

God wants you to grow spiritually and become more like Jesus Christ. One way you can do that is by taking some of your money and investing it in your 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). 

Your money can help you grow in spiritual strength. You can use it to develop skills, to educate yourself, to become a better leader, a better speaker, a better intercessor, or just a better person.

The truth is, you’re not taking your car to heaven with you. You’re not taking your condo, couch, or clothes to heaven either.

But you are taking your character. It may be tempting to use your money to invest in comfort, but God wants you to use your money to invest in something that’s going to heaven—your character.

That means any time you use your money to buy a Christian book that helps you grow, you’ve invested in what I call God’s “Growth Fund.” Any time you use some of your money to pay for a retreat or a conference that improves your life, you’ve invested in the Growth Fund. Any time you spend money on a class or seminar that helps make you more of who God wants you to be, God smiles and says that’s a good use of money.

I’ll never forget when I bought my first Bible. I was a teenager and thought, “This is the most important book to me, so I’m going to get the best one I can find.” I did a little research and found one I like called the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible. Then I said, “I want a binding that lasts, so I’m going to get it in the nicest leather I can find.” It cost me 60 dollars to buy that Bible—two months of my allowance. I gave up two months worth of snacks and movies, but I got a really cool Bible I could use for the rest of my life.

I still have that Bible. It’s my most treasured possession because I’ve read through it so many times. I have it underlined and marked up.

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).

You can spend your money on junk food or soul food. Choose to spend your money on food for your soul that helps you grow spiritually.

Talk It Over

  • How does society try to convince you that your comfort is more important than your character?
  • Why does “soul food” satisfy more than “junk food”?
  • What comfort item can you give up so that you have more money to invest in your character?

Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.