"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19-21 RSV) Where Is Your Heart?

Warning! Materialism is destroying many disciples, some even while they are “faithfully going to church.” (Paul Earnhart) And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." (Luke 12:15 NKJV)

Matthew 6:19-24 – Threat to Righteousness: Materialism  NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS...  A "master" by definition demands "total loyalty", and we are unable to please two masters at the same time  Such is certainly true with God - cf. Exo 34:14  Mammon is evidently no different  WE HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN GOD AND MAMMON...  When wealth is coveted, and becomes the priority in our lives, it becomes a "god" - cf. Ep 5:5; Co 3:5  So the choice becomes one as to whether we shall worship the One True God, or be "idolaters" following after a false god!  CHOOSE TO SERVE GOD...  As Jesus would later say, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" - Mt 6:33  Do this, and God becomes our Master  Since we can't serve two masters, this effectively eliminates Mammon from being our "god"! No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate one and love the other, or else he will attach himself to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. (Matthew 6:24 TCNT)

The Love of Money… But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs. (1 Timothy 6:9-10 RSV) Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never fail you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5 RSV) Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven. (Proverbs 23:4-5 NKJV)

Commands To Those Who Are Rich! DO NOT BE HAUGHTY... That is, high-minded or conceited - 1 Ti 6:17; cf. Ja 4:6 Remember that what you have ultimately comes from God! DO NOT TRUST IN WEALTH FOR SECURITY... Riches are “uncertain” (especially in our economy!) - 1 Ti 6:17; Prov. 23:4,5 Riches are “insufficient” - cf. Lk 12:15-21 (the parable of the rich fool) BE A GENEROUS PERSON... Note the repeated emphasis - 1 Ti 6:18 “Do good, be rich in good works” “Ready to give, willing to share” As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches but on God who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous, thus laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life which is life indeed. (1 Timothy 6:17-19 RSV)

Matthew 6:25-34 – Threat to Righteousness: Worry Jesus Uses Four Principles 1. From the greater to the lesser. (25) 2. From the lesser to the greater. (26) 3. Worry is worthless! (27) 4. God knows our needs! (31-32) The service of riches leads to anxiety and worry, but the service of God leads to peace, joy, and happiness!

Why Is Worrying Sinful? We are commanded NOT to worry... v. 25, 31, 34; cf. Phil 4:6 It keeps us from duty... Eph 5:16 It impairs our health - Psa 32:3-5 Ever hear of someone worrying himself sick? Dr. S.S. McMillan in his book “None of These Diseases” shows how hives, asthma, ulcers and high blood pressure can be directly related to worry. Incidents of stomach ulcers go up or down with the stock market. We are commanded NOT to worry... v. 25, 31, 34; cf. Phil 4:6 It keeps us from duty... Eph 5:16 It impairs our health - Psa 32:3-5 Ever hear of someone worrying himself sick? Dr. S.S. McMillan in his book “None of These Diseases” shows how hives, asthma, ulcers and high blood pressure can be directly related to worry. Incidents of stomach ulcers go up or down with the stock market.

Why Is Worrying Sinful? It robs us of joy, happiness and peace Phil 4:4-7; Prov 17:22 Worry - derivative of middle English word which means “to strangle” - fighting in two different directions. Worry reflects a lack of faith, is doubting, and therefore it hinders our prayers... James 1:5,6 It chokes the word of God out of our hearts... Luke 8:14 (It is interesting that the word “worries” is from same word as “anxiety” in 1 Pet 5:7). It robs us of joy, happiness and peace Phil 4:4-7; Prov 17:22 Worry - derivative of middle English word which means “to strangle” - fighting in two different directions. Worry reflects a lack of faith, is doubting, and therefore it hinders our prayers... James 1:5,6 It chokes the word of God out of our hearts... Luke 8:14 (It is interesting that the word “worries” is from same word as “anxiety” in 1 Pet 5:7).

Do We Have Faith In God? If God takes care of these, will He not take care of men? To say "no" is to express a true lack of faith in God's love and power and our worth to God. People of faith know that God has the power! That God has the concern! That we have a worth to God beyond unspiritual creatures! If God takes care of these, will He not take care of men? To say "no" is to express a true lack of faith in God's love and power and our worth to God. People of faith know that God has the power! That God has the concern! That we have a worth to God beyond unspiritual creatures! Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6 RSV)

The Most Important Thing! Satan cares little as to whether we are consumed with greed or obsessed by worry as long as our minds are set on things rather than on God! "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 NKJV) Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:2 NKJV) "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 NKJV) Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:2 NKJV)

Jesus shows us how to find real peace in a world of anxiety! Put your life in God's hands with a committed trust. Rest in His love & power. Take it one day at a time. Put His will first and you will live in the confidence that all the needs of your life will be met. Such assurance belongs only to those who show their faith in obedience to the gospel. Have you? But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (Galatians 5:22 RSV)

Invitation To A Spiritual Revolution by Paul Earnhart How To Deal With Lust By Brian Anderson Sermon Outlines on Matthew By Mark Copeland Outline By Johnny Felker Outline By Jim Deason Prayer Outline by Steve Higginbotham The Gospel of Matthew by Kenneth L. Chumbley