Matthew 6:19 ¶ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Should this passage be taken literally, or is it just suggesting that we should not allow our riches to get in-between us and God?
What is treasure?
-wealth.
What is wealth?
-a great quantity or store of money, property, or riches.
-abundance or excess.
What are riches?
-abundance and valuable possessions, wealth.
Can a person that has very little still have, or lay up treasure, here on the earth?
Can a person have wealth, and his treasure be in heaven?
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Riches are deceitful.
If wealth was the gateway to happiness and peace with God, I believe that God would pour them out on all of his people.
Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
You can not serve God and self confidence.
You can not serve God and wealth.
Why is it that in these verses, it puts wealth and self confidence in the light of being a master?
The Rich Young Ruler
Mark 10:17 ¶ And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
-Have you asked this question, willing to accept the answer?…..or just could it be that we respond in this same manner?
18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
This young man was given the opportunity to put his treasure in heaven, but the cost was to great!
We can so easily look at this young man and say…..what a fool!
The answer to his problem seems so clear…..if he only would have sold what he had, given the proceeds to those that were in need….he would have had treasure in Heaven.
Getting rid of his wealth was not the only thing that he needed to have peace with God, but it was the very thing that kept him from taking up his cross and following Jesus.
22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,
30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Is the cost of following Jesus to great?
Why is it that things can have such a grip on us?
Is it possible to have riches and not trust in them?
May I suggest that if we are not willing to apply what Jesus taught on wealth and riches, then we need to reconsider how we apply scripture.
Story: The Poor in Spirit
It is so easy to say, “Everything I have is God’s”, but my challenge to you this morning consist of two words…..is it?
Are you willing to follow Jesus:
-if it means giving up the things that make you comfortable?
-if it means giving up your earthy treasure?
-if it means giving up your investments?
-if it means surrendering your reputation to God?
-if it means giving up your identity?
-if it means death to self.
-if it means that you will be misunderstood and even judged wrongfully?
-if it means taking up your cross?
What is your cross?
Do you resist your cross?
Did you know that Cross Bearing becomes very painful when you resist the cross instead of accepting the cross?
By resisting the cross, we are telling God, “I know what you want, but I am not willing to follow”.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Is there one thing that I am lacking….and if there is….am I willing to change?
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.