Matthew 6: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

Matthew 6: But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6: “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”

24 “No one can serve two masters. 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 both God and Money.” 24 “No one can serve two masters. 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 both God and Money.” Matthew 6:19-24

The Sermon on the ‘AMOUNT’

Three Common Theological Perspectives On Money  Poverty Theology – disdain for possessions  Prosperity Theology – reward for righteous  Proper Theology – a trust given by God

We all struggle with materialism Average card holder is $15,956 in debt

“Your money or your life!” Don’t rush me, I’m thinking about it.

“We cannot maintain a life of extravagances and a good conscience simultaneously.” - John Stott

“You cannot serve God and money.” - Jesus

Cynics at the sermon -  How to treat others  How to forgive  How to handle lust  The importance of keeping your word  How to handle worry  The difference in powerful & important prayer  How to value money

Jesus’ challenging question ( Mathew 6:19-24 ) “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

“The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. ”

“Where is your treasure?” Four Tests Give The Answer!

1. The Durability Test Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.” ( v ) How long will it last? How long will it last?

Treasures Jesus doesn’t say “don’t have them.” His focus was on where we put them.

The first life skill Jesus wants us to develop is to stop living just for today.  “stop storing up”  “for yourselves”

Two things happen to things we own:  they decay  they disappear

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. I Peter 1:3-4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. I Peter 1:3-4

Two things you can invest in that will last forever:  The Word of God  People - Kingdom

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim Elliot Jim Elliot

2. The Heart Test for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ( v. 21 ) Where are you investing your time and money?

Your heart always follows your treasure.

3. The Mind Test “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” ( v )

The eye is the symbol for the mind. Where is your focus?

4. The Master Test “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” (v. 24 ) “Who do you serve?”

“Mammon” proper noun or name. Jesus viewed money as a rival. Like God…it promises security, freedom & power.

You _______ Serve God and money!

You Cannot Serve God and money!

Where Is Your Treasure?  How long will my things last?  What excites me the most?  Where do I focus… On the material or the spiritual?  Is Jesus my master or is something or someone else?