The Best Use of Your Money - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - November 19, 2025
Discover how to leverage your worldly wealth for eternal impact, turning temporary resources into lasting relationships that welcome you into eternal dwellings. Learn practical ways to invest in people and the Word of God, ensuring your true treasures are in heaven where they will never fade.
“I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” Luke 16:9 (NIV)
Money is a tool—and tools are meant to be used. In fact, Jesus said, “I tell you, use worldly wealth” (Luke 16:9 NIV).
Look again at the word he uses there: “use.” Jesus doesn’t tell you to love wealth or horde it or worship it. He tells you to use it.
So what’s the best way to use the money God allows you to have? Use your temporary resources for permanent good. In other words, use something that doesn’t last (money) for something that will last for eternity.
There are lots of ways you can use your money for good—but the very best way you can use it is to invest in getting people into heaven.
The rest of Luke 16:9 says, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (NIV).
That verse is often misunderstood. It’s not saying that you can buy friends or that you can purchase salvation. What it means is that you can use your money to build relationships that are going to last forever.
There are lots of ways to do that. You can give money to help a friend go on a mission trip. You can take an unbelieving friend out to lunch, building that relationship until they’re ready to hear and receive the Good News. You can buy a Christian book for a friend who is struggling.
These are countless ways to use your “worldly wealth” to make eternal investments.
Let me give you a little wisdom: Don’t waste your money on stuff because stuff doesn’t last. Only people and the Word of God will last for eternity. So the best investment you can make? It’s not in the stock market or in real estate. It’s in the Word of God and in people. Because those are the only things you won’t be leaving behind one day.
When you walk into heaven, I want a crowd to be there to welcome you—people who are there because you chose to invest in eternity while you were on earth. As Jesus said, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20-21 ESV).
Rick Warren is an innovative pastor, renowned author, and global influencer known for founding Saddleback Church, the Purpose Driven Network, the PEACE Plan, and Hope for Mental Health. He has written several best-selling books, including The Purpose Driven Life, which has sold over 35 million copies in 200 languages. Time magazine named Warren the most influential spiritual leader in America and one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Since stepping down from the lead pastor role at Saddleback in 2022, Warren has continued to inspire people through his Daily Hope Devotional and podcast Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope. His first book in a decade, Created to Dream, was released in April 2023.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Your Gift Brings Hope to the World
Start every day with God’s word—and share the hope with others!
Thank you for your generous gift below to help share the hope of Jesus with more people through Daily Hope!
As thanks for your gift, we’ll send you Pastor Rick’s "Daily Hope Devotional: 365 Days of Purpose, Peace, and Promise."
This resource will help you start each day encouraged and filled with the purpose, peace, and promises of God.
Request yours below—and thank you for your generous partnership!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of “current offer” materials you received from Daily Hope.
