One of the biggest problems we face today is that our possessions tend to give us false security as if to say if we only had enough money or enough property, or enough furniture and clothing and jewelry and shoes – we would have it made.
Matthew 6:19-21 tells us “Do not store up for yourselves on the 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 through and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
However, we all know how quickly the things of this world -even those things we have devoted our whole lives to attaining can be taken from us.
- Overnight, the stock market can crash and wipe out a lifetime of investments
- A failed company can deplete an entire pension fund
- A natural disaster can destroy a home and everything in it
- A diagnosis of cancer can put an end to all the hope and dreams you had for the future
Jesus’s perspective on money and it’s place in the hearts of God’s people, flow directly from His teaching that inner thoughts and motivations heart of righteousness. God and His will are what matters, not other people’s opinions. Jesus tells the crowds not to stockpile temporary treasure on earth. Instead, they should be working towards godly goals -storing up rewards in heaven with choices driven by sincere devotion to God. Where we place our treasure indicates the absolute priority of our hearts. Those who love for worldly wealth live in inner darkness. One thing can be genuinely primary in a person’s life. Each person must choose whether to serve God or their selfish interests.
Don’t get me wrong everyone deserves nice things. We just need to know where our priorities lay. And be aware that material possessions are temporary. Jesus points out that no one can build up enough wealth to guarantee -without risk -that they will have their needs met forever. More importantly, “you can’t take it with you.”
In Matthew 5:1-2 Jesus emphasizes what it means to lead a righteous life on earth. Those hearing Him for the first time may have been surprised by how different His message sounded compared to Isreal’s religious leaders. Most religious leaders in that era focused entirely on words and actions on outward behaviors. Jesus was teaching on what God cares about most and what ultimately determines righteousness are the motivations of a sincere heart, He taught how we do it and why we do it which factored into God’s approval.
Jesus turns to focus on money and possessions. He tells His followers not to stockpile material goods in this life. He soon clarified what this is a dangerous practice in Matthew 6:24. He begins by saying thst money and possessions are not dependable. They are easily lost. The heart and motivation are more important.
It’s dangerous to become dependent on worldly wealth which can easily cross the line into greed or materials.
As Americans, we have become so spoiled on material things, that we put these ‘things’ above God and they take president over God and storing treasures we should be storing in heaven.
From Pity to Praise 