Matthew 6:19-21
Matthew 6:
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. (Mat 6:19 NKJ)
Introduction
: Every Christian serious about a deeper walk with God and greater impact in our world must incorporate spiritual exercises as a way of life.
When it comes to financial matters and stewardship or management of what God blesses us is a huge theme in the bible.
What do most people invest in?
Short-term savings vehicles
· Savings accounts
· Money market funds
· Certificate of deposit (cd)
Long-Term vehicles
· Bonds
· Stocks
· Mutual funds
Retirement Plans
· Individual Retirement Plans (IRA)
· Roth IRA
· 401(k)
· Simplified Employee Pensions
What else?
· Investment stocks
· Real estate
· Commodities
· Futures
M.H. ‘I am all in favor of believers investing!’ And finding sound, biblical counsel about how this can be done.
Transition: I’m going to switch gears just a little by talking about sacrifice.
‘Sacrifice is a willingness and sometimes even eagerness to give up something valuable for something or someone we deem more valuable’
.
‘When it comes to sacrifice — if it doesn’t cost, it doesn’t count’.
I want to compare 2 separate historical biblical situations. Acts 5 and Matthew 6 with Exodus 36
Context of Malachi
Malachi 1:8 ‘And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice,
Is it
not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick,
Is it
not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?” Says the LORD of hosts.’ (Mal 1:8 NKJ)
· Last thing before 400 years of silence.
NT – Acts 5
– Ananias and Saphira
OT – Exodus 36
Illustration:
About a year ago, Sara and I really wanted to make some changes to our house.
Transition:
As it relates to our faith, what is sacrificial giving about?
III. How do we practice regular sacrifice?
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay 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 will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21
This treasure principle can be viewed two ways.
One, our heart directs our treasure.
Two, our treasure draws our heart.
Either way, our heart and our treasure are inseparably linked. The point is to be careful where you invest your treasure because it affects the heart. What happens when you invest in company stock? To invest merely for personal security or satisfaction, God calls foolish.
Conclusion
: This morning I am asking all of us to be a part of our campaign to update our sanctuary.
A Home for the Harvest
Two separate teachings to remind us of part of what the bible addresses.
Building of Greater Barns
– Luke 12:18
The Rich Young Ruler
– Luke 18:18-23
We could use our reserves to complete this work, but we feel like for many different reasons, it should be us…all of us, finding a way to cover a substantial part of this expense.
No manipulation, no guilt trips, no sob stories; just an appeal. An appeal to pray, let god speak to us the then to step out in faith.
Participation
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