Save Your "Money" for the Ticket: The Ticket Is Repentance, Obedience, and Righteousness Before God

While the world is preoccupied with financial accumulation, material security, and earthly investments, Scripture calls God’s people to a radically different economy. The Bible presents a spiritual transaction of eternal consequence: a “ticket” that cannot be purchased with money, influence, or possessions. This ticket is repentance, obedience to God’s law, and a life hidden with Christ in righteousness. To save your money for the ticket is not merely a call to financial restraint, but a summons to store treasure in heaven, to live free from sin, and to prepare to meet the Bridegroom when He comes. Both the King James Bible and the writings of Ellen G. White reveal how true wealth is measured, where true security lies, and how God’s people may be ready to meet Christ in the clouds of glory.

Repentance is the essential starting point of salvation and preparation for Christ’s return. It is not simply sorrow for sin, but a decisive turning away from sin and a turning toward God in obedience and faith. Scripture speaks plainly:

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”— Acts 3:19, KJV

“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”— Luke 13:3, KJV

Ellen G. White reinforces this truth by explaining that repentance includes sorrow for sin and a turning away from it, and that true repentance is not superficial but a thorough reformation of life (Steps to Christ, p. 23; Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5). Repentance, therefore, is the entrance ticket into God’s saving grace and the daily posture of those preparing for eternity.

True repentance always results in:

• A hatred for sin and a love for righteousness

• A changed direction, not just changed feelings

• Confession, forsaking of sin, and restoration

• A heart prepared for the times of refreshing

Obedience to God’s laws and statutes does not earn salvation, but it reveals who truly belongs to Christ. God’s law remains the eternal standard of righteousness and the transcript of His character. Scripture identifies God’s end-time people with unmistakable clarity:

“Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”— Revelation 14:12, KJV

Jesus Himself declared,

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”— John 14:15, KJV

Ellen G. White states that the law of God is the great moral standard of righteousness and that obedience is the test of discipleship (The Great Controversy, p. 467; Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 282). The saved are not lawless; they are loyal. Obedience is the visible evidence that the ticket is genuine.

Obedience reveals:

• Love for God rather than fear of punishment

• Loyalty in a world of compromise

• Alignment with God’s character and government

• Readiness for judgment and Christ’s return

Righteousness before God is not self-produced but received through faith in Christ and maintained through abiding in Him. God’s final judgment evaluates character, not profession. The apostle Paul declared his only hope:

“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness.”— Philippians 3:9, KJV

Scripture also warns,

“The righteous shall scarcely be saved.”— 1 Peter 4:18, KJV

Ellen G. White explains that the righteousness by which we are justified is imputed, and the righteousness by which we are sanctified is imparted (Review and Herald, June 4, 1895). Only those clothed in the garments of Christ’s righteousness will be able to endure the glory of His presence (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 310). The ticket is validated by Christ’s righteousness, covering and transforming the believer.

Saving your money for the ticket means redirecting priorities from earth to heaven. Earthly riches are temporary, but heavenly treasure is eternal. Jesus issued a direct warning and invitation:

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”— Matthew 6:19–20, KJV

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”— Matthew 6:21, KJV

Ellen G. White wrote that the treasure of truth is of value beyond estimate and warned that wealth is a dangerous idol even among professed believers (Testimonies, Vol. 5; Counsels on Stewardship, p. 138).

Saving your money for the ticket looks like:

• Valuing character over comfort

• Choosing eternal priorities over temporary gain

• Letting go of idols that compete with God

• Living daily with heaven in view

God also calls His people to live free from sin through the power of Christ. Preparation for Christ’s coming involves the purification of heart and life. Scripture does not soften this call:

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”— Matthew 5:48, KJV

“Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not.”— 1 John 3:6, KJV

Ellen G. White wrote that Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church, and that when the character of Christ is perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 69). Victory over sin is not optional preparation; it is essential readiness for the wedding supper of the Lamb.

The ultimate promise to the faithful is the literal, visible return of Jesus Christ. Only those who have prepared their ticket will rejoice at His appearing. Scripture promises:

“We shall be caught up together… to meet the Lord in the air.”— 1 Thessalonians 4:17, KJV

“Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him.”— Isaiah 25:9, KJV

Ellen G. White confirms that those who have cleansed their souls by obeying the truth will rejoice in the glorious appearing of our Lord, and that none but the pure and holy can abide the presence of God (The Great Controversy, p. 625; Early Writings, p. 71). When the Bridegroom comes, only the prepared will rise to meet Him. The ticket must already be in hand.

Saving your money for the ticket is a call to spiritual wisdom in a bankrupt world. Repentance is the admission, obedience is the confirmation, righteousness is the covering, and faithfulness is the seal. Treasures laid up in heaven, character refined, sins forsaken, and lives surrendered are the only currency accepted at Christ’s return. Preparation cannot be postponed, purchased, or borrowed.

In summary, the ticket cannot be bought, it must be lived:

• Repentance that fully turns from sin

• Obedience that reflects love for God

• Righteousness that comes only through Christ

• Treasure stored in heaven, not on earth

I’ve got my ticket. The question that remains is simple and eternal: do you?