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.
Hold On Tight
Isaiah 35:3; Hebrews 12:12 NKJ Isaiah 35:3 ‘Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees’. NLT Isaiah 35:3 ‘With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees’. NKJ Hebrews 12:12 ‘Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees’, NLT Hebrews 12:12 ‘So take…
Called and Appointed
John 15:12 John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 “Greater love has no one than this, than1 to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 “No longer do I call you servants,…
Onesimus – The NT Hobo
Book of Philemon Introduction: For some, especially the young, the word or term ‘hobo’ might not be familiar. Growing up there was an understanding in my mind that there were actually hobos who would jump onto trains to get them to and from wherever they were going. What is the history of the hobo? They…
Me and My Church
Introduction: There is the Church Universal And then there is the Local Church. Question: What is the Local Church. Place of gathering; The Location (could be at the beach), the structure or the building or the facility where one gathers for: • Worship and teaching: A place to regularly gather for worship, prayer, and hearing…
But The Greatest of These
1 Corinthians 13 Introduction: Valentines Weekend. There is nothing wrong with dinners, chocolates, cards or flowers. When it come to Love, there are all kinds of things uses and pointed to as objects or illustrations: • Books – Romeo & Juliet; Gone with the Wind, etc. • Music / Songs – ‘Endless Love’, Diana…
Champions
1 Corinthians 1:25-26 Introduction: Superbowl Sunday. Champion – noun– a person who has defeated all opponents in a competition or series of competitions, so as to hold first place: the heavyweight boxing champion. Anything that takes first place in competition. One definition that I found that I like about what it means to be a…
Flood or The Blood
Psalm 32:1-7 Psalm 32:6, ‘Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment’. (Psa. 32:6 NLT) Introduction: Let’s look at a ‘communion text’ as we are contemplating the beauty of celebrating around the Lords Table. NKJ Psalm 32:1 <A Psalm of…
God In The House
NKJ – Psalm 127:1 <A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.> Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. The Psalms of Ascent are a collection of psalms in the Bible, Psalms 120–134, that were sung by Jewish pilgrims…
But Others – When All Else Seems to Fail
Introduction: I started the year with Immanuel, God with us, then last week, ‘Getting Rid of Stuff’, and now I will spend the next two weeks to speak to you about the role of Faith in our lives. 11:1-2, ‘Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen: it gives us assurance…