Making Change: Part 4 - "Tomorrow Matters" with Craig Groeschel - Life.Church

Tomorrow Matters

Scripture References

Primary text

• Matthew 25
• Proverbs 21:20
• Proverbs 6:6-8

Other references

• Proverbs 24:3-4
• Ecclesiastes 11:2
• 1 Timothy 6:9
• Proverbs 13:11

Overview

Week four of “Making Change” centers on the truth that tomorrow matters. Pastor Craig re-states the series’ four anchoring convictions—“Less is more, stress is bad, giving is good, and tomorrow matters”—and shows how a today-only mindset keeps many believers in financial bondage. Drawing from Scripture, everyday illustrations, and his own story, he calls listeners to steward resources wisely, invest consistently, and think long term for the glory of God and the good of others.

Main Points

The Four Big Thoughts (review)

• Less is more: better one handful with peace than two with toil.
• Stress is bad: financial pressure steals joy and focus.
• Giving is good: it is more blessed to give than to receive.
• Tomorrow matters: what we do today shapes our future.

Culture of “Now” vs. Wisdom for Tomorrow

• We are conditioned to want instant replies, instant streaming, two-day shipping—making it hard to plan ahead.
• 76 % of Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck; many could avoid it with wiser choices.
• Recognizing that tomorrow matters changes how we spend, save, and give today.

Illustration: Text bubbles, Netflix buffering, and Amazon Prime show how impatient we’ve become.

Scriptural Pictures of Future-Minded Living

• Proverbs 21:20: the wise store up; fools spend all they have.
• Proverbs 6:6-8: even the ant prepares for winter—“go to the ant, you sluggard.”
• Matthew 25 (talents): servants who multiply resources are called faithful; the one who buries his is called “wicked and lazy.”

Two Ways Money Is Made

1. People making money—your labor earns a paycheck.
2. Money making money—resources are put to work and multiply (investing).

Illustration: The servants with five and two bags “put their money to work” and doubled it.

Three Biblical Investing Principles

1. Don’t invest in what you don’t understand

• Proverbs 24:3-4—wisdom and understanding build a house.
• Personal example: buying Lucent stock on a tip led to loss; could not explain what he owned.
• “Sometimes the best investments are the ones you don’t make.”

2. Diversify—don’t put all your eggs in one basket

• Ecclesiastes 11:2—divide your investments; you don’t know what risks lie ahead.
  Illustration: A pile of manure in one spot stinks; spread out it fertilizes the field.

3. Reject get-rich-quick schemes

• 1 Timothy 6:9—those eager to get rich fall into traps.
• Proverbs 13:11—gather little by little and it grows.
• Stories: a friend borrowed $100 k for an “international investment” that collapsed; Pastor Craig lost money day-trading to “hit big” fast.

The Steady Path: Money + Consistency + Time

• Formula: money + consistency + time = wealth.
• 10-10-80 practice: first 10 % to God, 10 % invested/saved, live on 80 %.
  Illustration: Penny doubling for 30 days becomes $5.3 million—consistent compounding beats quick cash.

Personal Testimony: Real-Estate Faithfulness

• At 19, used savings meant for a car to buy a small house; rented rooms to fraternity brothers.
• Bought additional properties over time; 29 years later, real estate income fuels generous giving and comfortable living.
• Faithfulness with “two talents and an opportunity” illustrates Matthew 25.

“That Was Then—This Is Now”

• Seasons of scarcity do not have to be permanent.
• Small obedient steps—paying off a car, starting retirement savings, giving consistently—add up over years.

Investing Beyond Money

• Jesus invested in people; we should invest in marriage, children, friendships, and church.
• Wealth is not bad when used to do good.

“It is truly more blessed to give than it is to receive.”

Key Truths

• A tomorrow-minded believer stewards today’s resources differently.
• Wisdom stores and multiplies; folly consumes everything now.
• Diversification and patience protect against ruin.
• Consistent, small steps outpace risky, hurried leaps.
• God entrusts more to those who prove faithful with little—for Kingdom impact, not self-indulgence.

Response

• Evaluate spending and cut where “less is more.”
• Draft a simple 10-10-80 (or better) plan and act on it this month.
• Learn before you invest; if you can’t explain it, don’t buy it.
• Spread current savings into multiple avenues rather than one.
• Commit to regular generosity, trusting God to enlarge your capacity.
• Enroll in a financial stewardship course (e.g., Financial Peace University) to deepen practical skills.

Closing

Pastor Craig urged the church to see today through the lens of eternity. Our earthly finances and the state of our souls both testify that “tomorrow matters.” Little-by-little obedience, guided by Scripture and empowered by the Spirit, leads to freedom, generosity, and lasting impact.

“Help us to recognize that tomorrow matters, and because we know that tomorrow matters, empower us to change today.”

Prayer

Pastor Craig asked God to speak to each listener, supply wisdom for every financial step, heal those in deep need, and make the church faithful stewards who honor Christ and bless the world.