Question from a reader:

I have a question that has been bugging me for a while. Let me explain. I have always been interested in computers and recently landed a good job in the computer field that pays A LOT of money. I go to college in the morning from about 8-12 and then go to work. My question is whether or not I should buy a car. Not just any car, a Chevy Corvette. You see, I have always wanted one. I am a born again Christian and I adamantly follow Christ. I agree whole-heartedly about giving and investing in eternity in the articles on the website and I give a lot to missions and relief organizations. If I have more than enough money left over after giving to pay for living, tuition, and other things and also give a lot to the church and to missions, would it be wrong to buy a Corvette? I know it is a very expensive car. I have asked several people about it. Some say that if I have more than enough after giving I should get the corvette if I want it while others say even if I have given a lot, I should still give more if I have it. What do you suggest I do? 

Answer from Randy Alcorn:

If I were you I would take the money I would have spent on the Corvette, and give it to missions and famine relief. Everyone comes out ahead that way—God is glorified, people are kept alive and reached with the gospel, and you will lay up treasures in heaven, and Jesus says your heart will follow your treasures. When Jesus says don’t lay up for yourself treasure on earth, but in heaven, I think investing in God’s kingdom and helping save lives physically and spiritually is an example of the latter, while getting the Corvette is an example of the former.

My book The Treasure Principle: Discovering the Secret of Joyful Giving will give a larger picture of why I believe this is the right thing to do—but not only the right thing, the thing that will bring you joy both in this life and in eternity. In the book I deal with passages such as 2 Corinthians 8:14 and 9:11, which I believe tell us why God provides us with lots of money, as he has you. It’s not for us to give him a “respectable amount” so we can feel good about laying up treasures on earth, it’s so we can invest the great majority of the surplus in that which is closest to his heart.

Best wishes—and good for you that you are asking the question and looking for a Christ-honoring answer, rather than just assuming you should do whatever you feel like. One final question—at the judgment seat of Christ, if you bought the Corvette instead of giving the money away, can you envision Christ saying “I intended you to give the money to Me and needy people, not spend it on that car”? Second question, if you give it away, can you envision Christ saying to you, “Bad move—I didn’t want you to give it, I wanted you to buy that car”? Bottom line, if you’re not absolutely sure, you will surely not disappoint or disobey Christ by giving it to Him.