The Best Investment You'll Ever Make
Why Putting God First is Rewarding
After reading my previous blog about the cost of following Jesus, you might be wondering: "Is it really worth it?"
Let me answer that with a resounding YES. Putting God first is the most rewarding decision you'll ever make.
The Treasure Hunter's Joy
Jesus told two amazing stories in Matthew 13 that completely changed how I think about following Him. In both stories – the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value – something incredible happens.
A man stumbles across a treasure buried in a field. When he realizes what he's found, he doesn't grumble about having to sell everything to buy that field. He does it "in his joy." Another man, searching for fine pearls, finds the pearl of all pearls and gladly sells everything to buy it.
Notice what these stories focus on. They're not about the pain of the sacrifice – they're about the joy of the discovery.
The Backwards Kingdom
We have this completely backwards. We focus on what we're giving up instead of what we're gaining. We see sacrifice instead of investment. We see loss instead of the greatest win of our lives.
I've invested in a lot of things over the years – career advancement, financial security, relationships, hobbies, possessions. And while some of these brought temporary satisfaction, nothing – and I mean nothing – has paid the dividends that living fully for God has paid.
Rewards Now and Forever
Here's what I wish someone had told me years ago: the rewards of putting God first aren't just in heaven (though those are real too – the Bible is clear about eternal rewards). The rewards start immediately.
Peace that doesn't make sense. When your life is anchored in God's purposes instead of your own performance, you experience a peace that isn't dependent on circumstances.
Purpose that energizes you. There's nothing like knowing you're part of something bigger than yourself – God's kingdom breaking into this world through your ordinary life.
Joy that survives hardship. This isn't happiness based on circumstances. It's the deep joy of knowing you're exactly where God wants you, doing exactly what He's called you to do.
Relationships that actually satisfy. When you're not using people to meet your own needs, you're free to love them the way God loves them.
Freedom from the exhausting burden of control. You weren't meant to manage your own life. When you hand the controls over to God, the weight lifts.
The Investment Principle
Jesus taught a principle that most of us have experienced in our earthly relationships: "Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be" (Matthew 6:21).
Notice the order. We tend to think we need to feel something before we do something. "When I feel more committed to God, I'll start living for Him." But Jesus says it works the opposite way: treasure Him first (through your choices and actions), and your heart will follow.
I've seen this work in my own marriage. Feelings come and go, but when I choose to invest in my wife through my actions – even when I don't "feel" like it – the feelings return. The same is true with God. When you start investing your time, energy, and resources in His kingdom, your heart becomes more attached to His kingdom.
The Strengthening Promise
But here's the most amazing part. God doesn't just ask you to commit and then leave you to figure it out on your own. Look at this incredible promise from 2 Chronicles 16:9:
"The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."
God is actively looking for people who are committed to Him so He can strengthen them! He's not sitting in heaven thinking, "I hope they can pull this off." He's thinking, "I can't wait to show up powerfully in their life and give them everything they need to live for Me."
What Rewards Look Like
Maybe you're thinking, "This sounds too good to be true. What do these rewards actually look like in real life?"
Let me share what I've experienced and what I've seen in others who've made this commitment:
- Clarity in decision-making because you have a clear filter: "What honors God?"
- Contentment that isn't based on circumstances because your identity is secure in Christ
- Energy for serving others because you're not exhausted from serving yourself
- Hope that persists through difficulties because you know God is working everything together for good
- Relationships that go deeper because you're free to love without ulterior motives
- A sense of adventure because you never know how God might use you next
The Search is On
Right now, as you're reading this, God's eyes are searching. He's looking for someone whose heart is fully committed to Him. Not perfect – committed. Not sinless – surrendered.
When He finds that person, He doesn't just ask them to serve Him. He strengthens them. He empowers them. He shows up in their life in ways that leave them amazed at His goodness.
Your Best Investment
I've made a lot of investments in my life. Some paid off, many didn't. But the best investment I ever made – the one that keeps paying dividends day after day, year after year – was the decision to put God first.
Not because it was easy. Not because it didn't cost me anything. But because the return on investment is beyond anything I could have imagined.
The treasure is real. The pearl is genuine. The kingdom of God is the find of a lifetime.
The question is: Are you ready to discover what you've been missing?
Today could be the day you stop focusing on what full commitment to God might cost you and start focusing on what it will gain you. The rewards are waiting.
