Where is Your Treasure?
Matthew 6:19-34
Last week we saw that stewardship begins, not with how you allocate your gifts or treasures, but rather with your view of God. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us that God should be our ultimate treasure.
In Matthew 6:19-34, the Bible teaches us that we should appropriately prioritize our possessions and carefully measure our wealth.
First, Jesus says to collect the right treasure. Rather than storing up treasures here on earth that will waste away and be destroyed ultimately, Christ directs his followers to store up treasures in heaven. Heavenly treasures last for eternity. All that you work for in this life that does not yield heavenly results will wither and rot, but all that is done for Christ will last for eternity. In our materialistic age, Christians should seek to be different by rejecting the world’s definition of wealth and seeking heavenly treasure.
Second, Jesus says serve the right Master. It has been said that your god is whatever gets the most of your attention. In his book, “Counterfeit Gods,” Timothy Keller speaks of the dangers of bowing before false gods in the 21st century. Anything in your life can become a god – especially money. Money, in and of itself, is not bad or evil, but money can lead even believers astray. You cannot serve both God and money. You will either prioritize the commands and mission of God above your own material wealth, or you will allow your material possessions to hold sway over your commitment to God. Serve the right master, subject yourself and your things to the lordship of Christ at all times.
Finally, Jesus admonishes us to reject sinful anxiety. Money is regularly ranked high among the greatest stressors in the lives of married couples and is one of the most often cited reasons for divorce. When the bills overwhelm the checking account, it is difficult to remain calm, but Christ says that it is specifically in these difficult times that we should look to God in faith, not worry. The lesson from Christ is that God cares for all who are his. Ultimately, we are in control of very little in our lives and even the things that seem to be in our control, like money, are ultimately under the watchful control of God.
It is in the hard times of life that our real treasure will be revealed. When difficult times come, Christ says seek first the kingdom of God and all else will be added. For those who treasure Christ ultimately, the hard times of life will reveal a calm assurance and faith that the same Savior who gave all to save them will do all necessary to care for them.
Thompson– Lessons by Craig Thompson, pastor of Malvern Hill Church, Camden. Thompson earned his B.A from Presbyterian College and is pursuing a Ph.D. from Southern Seminary, where he also earned his M.Div.