By Debo Adeoye, Ibadan, Nigeria
In a thought-provoking pre-Father’s Day sermon delivered at New Heritage Baptist Church, Eniosa, Ibadan, the church’s Undershepherd, Reverend Philemon Ajide, issued a bold spiritual charge to Christians around the world: “Use your money to get people into heaven.“
Luke 16:9 (NLT): “Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home. ”
Money as a Mission Tool, Not a Master Reverend Ajide explained that Jesus was not advocating material bribery or salvation through wealth. Rather, He was illustrating the eternal value of using earthly possessions to advance the Kingdom of God.
“You can’t buy your way into heaven. Salvation is a free gift through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ,” Ajide said. “But the way you use your money today can help someone else hear the Gospel—and that’s a seed with eternal reward.”
A Welcome Party in Heaven Reverend Ajide painted a vivid image of what awaits a generous Christian in heaven: “Imagine arriving in heaven and being welcomed by those who say, ‘Thank you for giving. If not for your generosity, I would not be here. That Bible you gave me changed my life. That missionary you supported reached my village. That church you helped build became my home.’ That’s what Jesus meant by eternal friends.”
Practical Applications: Storing Up Eternal Treasure Rev. Ajide listed specific, practical ways believers can use their money for eternal impact:- Donate Bibles- Support Missions- Build and Equip Churches- Fund Evangelism. “You can’t take it with you—but you can send it ahead,” he said.
Reflection Questions for Believers. To end the message, Reverend Ajide encouraged self-examination through these questions:- What are you spending money on that has no eternal value?- Who has God placed in your life that needs to hear the Gospel?- How are you using your wealth to build friendships that will last for eternity?
A Call to Eternal Perspective Reverend Ajide’s sermon serves as a timely reminder, particularly in an age of materialism and fleeting wealth.
“Wealth is not evil,” he concluded. “But when used wisely, it becomes a heavenly instrument. The highest use of your money is not personal gain—it is soul gain.”
