Money, money, money…money The Bible talks more about money than prayer and faith combined. (Over 2000 verses in the Bible about money.) Jesus talked more about money than he did heaven and hell. (15%) So why has talking about money and possessions in church become almost taboo today? – The Bad TV Evangelist – Our attempt to set the record straight has swung the pendulum too far in the opposite direction – Greed is blinding. – It’s easier not to talk about something than to deal with a problem.

Matthew 6:19-34 Lay Up Treasures in Heaven 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust [a] 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.a

Matthew 6: “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. [b]b

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? [c] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. c

30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Jesus is saying 3 things to us: 1.How money and materialism effect us. 2.Why money and materialism effect us. 3.How we can break free from their power.

How money and materialism effect us V22-23 “…if your eye is bad…” “Watch out for greed!” Greed creeps up on us; it isn’t obvious, it’s deceiving and it warps our whole view of possessions and material things. This is a sin unlike others: – No one says “oh my, you’re not my wife!” – “I’m not as ______ as they are…” fill in the blank. No one thinks they are greedy. 

How money and materialism effect us – Is there a set standard to judge our greed: 10%? 15, 20… 50%? Jesus rebukes the tithing Pharisees Jesus praises the widow who gave the last of what she had Paul says “I want you to want to give!” Ask the hard questions: is my lifestyle reflective of Christ’s teaching? Am I spending too much? Am I giving enough? Robert Crane.

Why money and materialism effect us It’s a matter of the heart. V21: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Two pitfalls: Significance and Security. Money has the illusion of both but in reality offers neither. Significance: town vs. town, district vs. district (Newark!) Security: Mission Field vs. College, Career, Bank Account (professors advice) This is why we get so anxious about money. Jesus says it won’t even add one hour to your life! The birds get it.

How to break free from materialism v19 DO NOT TREASURE EARTHLY TREASURE, TREASURE HEAVENLY TREASURE Everyone at the center of their soul has something they treasure. We say about treasure, “if I have this, I’m worth it, it’s all worth it.” Some people make their treasure a person, a relationship, a family, a job, a bank account. Whatever it is, you become a slave to it. What is yours? Jesus says don’t make it an earthly treasure.

How to break free from materialism Keller says it this way, “all treasures will insist that you die to purchase it. But Jesus is the one treasure that died to purchase you.” He had the ultimate status, he had the greatest treasure, he was Lord, talk about significance and security. But he came to the cross and left all that treasure behind. He died for us. We were his treasure. Jesus said, If I have them, dying is worth it.

How to break free from materialism If Money has no hold on you, and you fully know what Jesus did, you can love the rich and the poor and the final sign is: YOU GET REALLY GENEROUS! Making Jesus your treasure will make you radically generous. How much should I give? Jesus gave sacrificially. You must live out the gospel economically. If you really love others, you’ll give so much money away that it makes a difference in your lifestyle and how you live. FOR MOST, the tithe is the goal. 10% is a sacrificial gift. It’s a sign that the gospel has taken root. 10% will alter our lifestyle.

Response There’s Mercy For: Greed Materialism Worry and Anxiety Stinginess Lack of Faith Lack of Joy There’s Empowerment For: Radical Generosity Love for Others Trust Empathy Faith Cheerful Giving