By Rick Warren

“Truth, wisdom, learning, and good sense — these are worth paying for, but too valuable for you to sell” (Proverbs 23:23 GNT).

We like to spend money on comfort, but the Bible teaches that it is wiser to invest in character.God wants us to take some of our money and invest it in ourselves — in personal and spiritual improvement. The Bible says, “Grow in spiritual strength and become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 TLB).

The Bible also says, “Buy truth — don’t sell it for love or money; buy wisdom, buy education, buy insight” (Proverbs 23:23 The Message). God wants you to develop skills and educate yourself so that you can become the kind of person he has shaped you to be.

Anytime we use our money to buy a Christian book or a resource that helps us grow, we’re investing in God’s Growth Fund. Whenever we use our money to take a class or learn something that makes us more of who or what God wants us to be, we’re investing in our growth. And God is smiling because we’re using our money in the right way.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick

Talk It Over

• What keeps you from investing in growing your character?
• How do you want to grow spiritually this year? How does your spending reflect your priority to grow as a Christ-follower?
• What one step will you take today to invest in your growth toward Christlike character?/li>

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

Gun control advocates don’t just have a problem with the Second Amendment – they also have real problems with the First Amendment. In an era when people can use 3D metal printers to make guns, does the First Amendment protect a book detailing a gun-manufacturing process – but not a computer file that does the same thing?

Here’s a link to the editorial at FOX News.

By Rick Warren

“Truth, wisdom, learning, and good sense — these are worth paying for, but too valuable for you to sell” (Proverbs 23:23 GNT).

We like to spend money on comfort, but the Bible teaches that it is wiser to invest in character.God wants us to take some of our money and invest it in ourselves — in personal and spiritual improvement. The Bible says, “Grow in spiritual strength and become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 TLB).

The Bible also says, “Buy truth — don’t sell it for love or money; buy wisdom, buy education, buy insight” (Proverbs 23:23 The Message). God wants you to develop skills and educate yourself so that you can become the kind of person he has shaped you to be.

Anytime we use our money to buy a Christian book or a resource that helps us grow, we’re investing in God’s Growth Fund. Whenever we use our money to take a class or learn something that makes us more of who or what God wants us to be, we’re investing in our growth. And God is smiling because we’re using our money in the right way.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick

Talk It Over

• What keeps you from investing in growing your character?
• How do you want to grow spiritually this year? How does your spending reflect your priority to grow as a Christ-follower?
• What one step will you take today to invest in your growth toward Christlike character?/li>

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

Like a baseball team that is way behind going into the fifth inning, Democrats (and socialists) are hoping for the political equivalent of a rainout, so that the game President Trump is winning will be canceled, allowing them time to regroup.

Here’s a link to the editorial at FOX News.

By Rick Warren

““Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life” (Timothy 6:18-19 NLT).

God’s Word tells us in Matthew 6:20-21 to store up our treasures in heaven.How can we do this? In one of his most misunderstood statements, Jesus said, “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).

Jesus did not mean for you to “buy” friends with money. What he meant was that you should use the money God gives you to bring people to Christ. They will then be your friends for eternity, friends who will welcome you in heaven! It’s the best financial investment you’ll ever make.

You’ve probably heard the expression “You can’t take it with you,” but the Bible says you can send it on ahead by investing in people’s eternal destination: “By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven — it is the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well” (1 Timothy 6:19 TLB).

What are ways you can invest your money in other people? What are ways you can invest your money in bringing people to Jesus? Pray about this, and see who or what God brings to mind. No matter how small, make one investment in eternity this week.

Your actions will affirm your faith.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick

Talk It Over

• In what area do you spend most of your money?
• How is your investment in that area making — or not making — an eternal impact?
• What is your motivation when you give your money to invest in other people?

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

This time they’ve surely got him. Pack your bags, Mr. President. The game is up. Because this week we learned that . . . that . . . well, there’s this tape, see, recorded by Donald Trump’s lawyer Michael Cohen in September of 2016, during which the then-presidential candidate discussed setting up a company for the purpose of paying off alleged former paramour Karen McDougal to make her go away.

Here’s a link to the editorial at FOX News.

TRUE TREASURE

READ PSALMS 73:1 THROUGH 74:23; ACTS 23:1–22

Believers might react with envious hearts toward riches of the corrupt or with arrogant pride toward immorality. All of these are unhealthy attitudes for Christians. How does God want believers to view unbelievers, whether they are rich or poor?

But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds (Psalm 73:28).

Just as Asaph, the author of this psalm, realized that he needed to focus on God, Christians should seek the Lord’s perspective toward the lost. Then hearts of compassion will replace wrong attitudes. God loves all people and desires that they be forgiven for their sins and receive Jesus as Lord. Like Asaph, believers can tell of a treasure that goes beyond earthly riches and provides hope, peace with God, and help in times of trouble.

As we look at people through the lens of God’s love, let’s pray for opportunities to humbly talk about what Jesus has done for us.

Challenge for Today: Share your story so others can learn of everlasting riches.

If you’re getting some hammock time this summer, you probably are aware there’s a race for governor unfolding in Illinois. Television ads composed and controlled by the campaigns have been streaming into living rooms for months.

Here’s a link to the editorial at the Chicago Tribune.

During Memorial Day weekend last year, my younger brother and two of his friends were sitting in a car on the south side of Chicago when two men walked up to the window and fired 25 times. With his bloodied best friend dead in his arms, it was only through God’s grace and mercy that my younger brother made it out alive.

Here’s a link to the editorial at FOX News.