Investing Better than a Roth IRA

What if the best investment you ever make can’t be measured in dollars—and never stops compounding?

From a purely financial standpoint, it’s hard to beat a Roth IRA. Few tools in the modern economy are more elegant: money goes in after tax, compounds tax-free for decades, and comes out untouched by the IRS. Consider this: a young worker who invests $7,500 a year starting at age 22, earning a modest 8% annually, can accumulate nearly $2.5 million by age 65. That’s the power of compounding and the time value of money working together beautifully.

But here’s the question stewardship demands: What eternal significance does $2.5 million U.S. dollars actually have?

Jesus once reframed investing in unmistakable terms: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” (Matthew 6:19–20, NIV). He wasn’t dismissing wisdom or planning. He was challenging the time horizon. Earthly compounding ends at death. Eternal compounding has no terminal date.

My wife, Amy, understood this intuitively as a teenager. Long before spreadsheets and portfolios, she began supporting a child through Compassion International. She wrote letters. She prayed. She watched from a distance as a little girl named Abigail—once trapped in deep poverty and unable to attend school—grew into a young woman with education, dignity, and hope. Many Compassion-sponsored children go on to college. Many come to know Jesus as Savior. That investment didn’t compound at 8%. It compounded in lives, dignity, and eternity.

Scripture reminds us, “…whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” (2 Corinthians 9:6, NIV) And “Command those who are rich in this present world… to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” (1 Timothy 6:17-18, NIV)  And again, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36, ESV). Forty-three years of tax-free growth, impressive as it is, is minuscule compared to dividends that echo into eternity.

This is why investing in places of spiritual and physical poverty—through redemptive businesses that create jobs, restore dignity, and proclaim hope—is investing “better than a Roth IRA.” These investments meet real needs today while compounding into forever. Recently, we have invested in projects addressing modern-day bonded slavery in brick-making, as well as initiatives supporting impoverished hazelnut farmers. In both cases, the gospel is not only spoken—it is embodied in places where the name of Jesus is rarely heard.

Financial wisdom teaches us to start early and think long-term. Eternal wisdom calls us to think forever.

So ask yourself: “If compounding is so powerful financially, why would I ignore it spiritually?”

If you would like to join our community by making investments that seek eternal outcomes like these, I would welcome that conversation.