God and Money: Jesus on Money
Preached on 1.17.10 by Dustin Neeley Sermon Notes
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:19-24 ESV
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth” Or “stop immediately.” Contextually, it would have likely been referring to clothing passed down as a form of wealth. Broader scope, it is “cease and desist” order of the “pursuit of stuff.”
P: As a citizen of the Kingdom, your life can’t be defined by the pursuit of temporal “stuff.”
Am I living my life and using my finances as a citizen of the Jesus’ Kingdom? What am I living for?
“where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,” Reason 2: It is not safe.
Vermin can attack them. Thieves can steal them.
P: Jesus is not saying, “Don’t save.” He is saying “Money can’t be your savior.”
To save us from:
- Feeling out of control-’saved’ by the illusion of control money provides.
- Our insecurity-’saved’ by our wardrobe, car, house, etc.
- Our ‘uncomfortability’-'saved’ from things that make us ‘uncomfortable.
How am I looking for money to be my savior today?
“but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” Ref. to heavenly rewards.
P: As a citizen of my Kingdom, your life should be defined by the pursuit of eternal things.
This Happens By:
- Living all of your life in obedience to God (all-inclusive).
- Investing in the mission of God through grace-motivated giving that happens regularly, proportionally, sacrificially, freely, joyfully, & with accountability.
“where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” The “Big Why” in this verse.
P: Our hearts and our “stuff” are connected.
P: If you want to know where your heart is with God, follow the money.
Where does the money say your heart is with God?
“The eye is the lamp of the body” In Jewish culture, like the heart. Further amplifying v. 21.
P: Our perspective on money affects everything.
“eye…healthy…full of light…eye…bad…darkness…great darkness” If your perspective is right, you are on good footing. If your perspective is wrong, you are in big trouble.
Which kingdom’s perspective do you see at work in your finances?
“No one can serve two masters” A similar ‘crystallization’ as in vs. 21. Denotes slavery. ”hate…love…despise…devoted” Very strong language to make a point.
P: We cannot serve both God and money-we must choose.
Who am I serving (in my life, in this moment) God or money?
We answer this in an “Overarching” and “Moment by Moment” sense:
1. The decisive break in which we become a citizen of Jesus’ Kingdom.
2. The ‘moment by moment’ daily decisions that bear that out in life.
The way we serve God in both situation is the same:
Repent and Believe the Gospel.
Works Consulted : NIV Application Commentary, Life Application Bible, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, ESV Study Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, Bible Promise Books, Sermons by John Piper, Ligon Duncan, Andy Stanley