Try This:
Give each person 10 coins or pieces of candy, and label two bowls or cups with “NOW” and “FOREVER”
Say This:
Each of you has 10 coins that represent your time, energy, attention, and life choices. They can only go in two places: NOW…things that only matter for a short time, or
FOREVER…things that last into eternity. You must choose where to place each coin as I read different choices.
Read each item below. After each one, each person puts a coin/candy in either NOW or FOREVER)
- Binge watching on Netflix or scrolling social media
- Helping someone who is hurting
- Spending time reading God’s Word or with Him in prayer
- Buying something for yourself
- Encouraging a friend
- Giving money to someone in need
- Learning more about Jesus
- Sharing your faith with someone
- Spending all your time on hobbies
- Serving someone without being noticed
Say This:
Look at where your coins went. Every choice we make represents how we are actually investing our lives. Jesus teaches that life works a lot like this—what we invest in today is shaping our eternity, and it also shows what we really value most. Let’s see what He says about it.
Read This:
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.Luke 12:33-34
Say This:
Jesus makes the connection very clear here—what we treat as our treasure will shape our hearts and our lives. There are three big ideas we can pull from this.”
1. Not all investments last: Jesus reminds us that many things we spend our lives on are temporary.
Read This:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Matthew 6:19–20
2. Some investments last forever:
There are things that carry eternal value, and will last beyond this life. These are things like growing in our faith through prayer and studying scripture, loving and serving others, giving generously, and sharing the gospel with those who don’t know Jesus.
Read This:
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
- 1 Timothy 6:18–19
3. Your heart follows your investments: What you invest in shapes what you care about most.
Read This:
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2
Say This:
Jesus is not just asking us to think differently—He’s inviting us to live differently. Imagine standing before God one day—not with your schedule, your achievements, or your possessions—but with the life you invested. In that moment, the only things that will matter are the things that have eternal value.
That’s why Jesus speaks so directly in Luke 12:34 (NIV): “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” He’s not trying to take something from us—He’s showing us where real life is found.
Every day, with every choice, we are moving our “coins” somewhere. We are either investing in what fades… or in what lasts forever. So this isn’t just about what we say matters—it’s about what our lives are actually showing matters.
Ask This:
- Why do you think Jesus connects treasure and the heart?
- Which of the ‘FOREVER’ investments is hardest for you?
- Why is sharing Jesus considered an eternal investment?
- What are some ways our family could make more eternal investments (Suggest from below)?
- Spend time praying for others
- Look for ways to serve people around us
- Give generously when we see need
- Look for opportunities to talk about Jesus with others
- Encourage someone who is struggling
- Invite someone to church or into our home
- Make spiritual conversations part of normal life
Pray This:
Lord, thank You for reminding us that life is short and eternity is real. Help us to invest wisely in what lasts forever. Teach us to love people well, to live generously, and to share the hope of Jesus with others. Shape our hearts so that what matters most to You becomes what matters most to us. In Jesus’ name, amen.