I’ve been working through some marriage material lately as I prepare to do a bit of pre-marital counseling with some close friends. Along the way, I came across a quote from Francis Chan in You and Me Forever that both encouraged and humbled me:
“Even now, I am working to make sure that my family is set up for the future. When most people make that statement, they are talking about financial security for their last few years on earth. When I say it, I’m referring to the millions of years that come after that. People accuse me of going overboard in preparing for the first ten million years in eternity. In my opinion, people go overboard in worrying about their last ten years on earth.”
This statement has been echoing in my mind, especially as the Lord has been challenging me to think differently about what it means to prepare well. Not just for retirement (which I do professionally as a financial planner), and not just for the next stage of life—but for eternity.
God’s Word speaks clearly about what true preparation looks like—where we’re storing our treasure and how we’re investing our lives: in our own souls, in our marriages, in our kids, and in the people God has placed around us.
Living with Eternity in View
We're constantly bombarded with messages to prepare for retirement, success, and security. But how often do we reflect on what it means to prepare for eternity?
"...we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." —2 Corinthians 4:18
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above... Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." —Colossians 3:1–2
To be clear, this isn’t a call to abandon wise financial planning or neglect our earthly responsibilities—Scripture calls us to be faithful stewards. But there’s a difference between stewarding what God has entrusted to us and hoarding what we think we've earned for ourselves. One flows from trust and obedience; the other from fear and control.
Storing Up Treasure in Heaven
Jesus was clear: where your treasure is, your heart will be also. If we're consumed with securing comfort and wealth here on earth, we risk missing out on the joy and reward of investing in the eternal.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." —Matthew 6:19–21
In Luke 12:15–21, a man builds bigger barns to store more riches, only to be called a fool by God because he was not rich toward Him.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain... for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world... Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation... For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils...” —1 Timothy 6:6–10
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” —1 Timothy 6:17
Caring for My Soul
We can’t lead others if we’re not grounded ourselves. God calls us to cultivate our own spiritual health—to train for godliness, abide in Christ, and delight in His Word.
"Train yourself for godliness... godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." —1 Timothy 4:7–8
"Blessed is the man... [whose] delight is in the law of the Lord... He is like a tree planted by streams of water." —Psalm 1:1–3
"Abide in me... for apart from me you can do nothing." —John 15:4–5
Investing in My Wife, Kids, and the People Around Me
Preparing well for eternity isn’t just personal—it’s relational. Scripture calls us to disciple, encourage, and invest in the lives of those God has entrusted to us. That includes our families, our friends, our coworkers, and our broader community—everyone God places in our path.
"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church... that he might sanctify her." —Ephesians 5:25–27
"You shall teach [these words] diligently to your children... when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way..." —Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (See Deuteronomy 6:5 and Matthew 22:37–40 for the “words”)
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." —Proverbs 27:17
"Encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." —1 Thessalonians 5:11
Whether it's our spouse, our children, our neighbors, coworkers, or others in our daily lives, we’re called to be intentional—pointing people to Christ and walking with them toward eternity.
Reflection Questions
● What am I doing today that will matter ten million years from now?
● Am I storing up treasure in heaven—or just security on earth?
● How am I intentionally preparing my wife and kids for eternity?
● Is my stewardship driven by trust in God or fear of the future?
● What would it look like to reorient my time, money, and relationships around eternity?
Let’s be men who prepare well—not just for the final decade of life, but for the forever that follows.
I’d love to hear what the Lord is showing you in this area. Let’s keep sharpening one another as we fix our eyes on Jesus and run the race with eternity in view.
Written By: Lee Miles
