PUTTING GOD FIRST IN YOUR FINANCES Matthew 6

PUTTING GOD FIRST IN YOUR FINANCES Matthew 6: 19 -24

PUTTING GOD FIRST IN YOUR FINANCES • 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ” (Matthew 6: 19 -21)

1. THE PROBLEM WITH EARTHLY TREASURES • A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children. (Proverbs 13: 22) • Children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. (2 Corinthians 12: 14) • “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ” (Matthew 6: 19)

1. THE PROBLEM WITH EARTHLY TREASURES • The heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. (2 Peter 3: 10) • “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions. ” (Luke 12: 15)

2. THE PROFIT OF HEAVENLY TREASURES • 20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ” (Matthew 6: 20 -21)

2. THE PROFIT OF HEAVENLY TREASURES • “To ‘lay up treasure in heaven’ is to do anything on earth whose effects last for eternity. That includes the development of Christ-like character (since all we can take with us to heaven is ourselves); the increase of faith, hope and charity…growth in the knowledge of Christ whom one day we shall see face to face; the active endeavor (by prayer and witness) to introduce others to Christ, so that they too may inherit eternal life; and the use of our money for Christian causes, which is the only investment whose dividends are everlasting. ” - John Stott

2. THE PROFIT OF HEAVENLY TREASURES • “Any temporal possession can be turned into everlasting wealth. Whatever is given to Christ, is immediately touched with immortality. ” - C. S. Lewis • 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. (1 Timothy 6: 18 -19)

2. THE PROFIT OF HEAVENLY TREASURES • “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. ” - Jim Elliot • “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? ” (Mark 8: 36)

2. THE PROFIT OF HEAVENLY TREASURES • “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they will receive you into the eternal dwellings. ” (Luke 16: 9)

2. THE PROFIT OF HEAVENLY TREASURES

3. THE PURSUIT OF THE HEART • 20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ” (Matthew 6: 20 -21) • “Money never stays with me. It would burn me if it did. I throw it out of my hands as soon as possible lest it should find its way into my heart. ” - John Wesley • “Earn all you can, save all you can, and give all you can. ” - John Wesley

4. THE PRINCIPLE OF GENEROSITY • 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. 23 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!” (Matthew 6: 22 -23) • A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth and does not know that want will come upon him. (Proverbs 28: 22)

4. THE PRINCIPLE OF GENEROSITY • Do not eat the bread of a selfish man [evil eye], or desire his delicacies… (Proverbs 23: 6) • “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious [bad] because I am generous? ” (Matthew 20: 15) • 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. ” (Matthew 6: 22 -23)

5. THE PRIORITY OF THE MASTER • “No one can serve [douleo] 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 [douleo] God and wealth. ” (Matthew 6: 24) • He who loves money will not be satisfied with money; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is vanity. (Ecclesiastes 5: 10)

5. THE PRIORITY OF THE MASTER • 9 Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; 10 so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine. (Proverbs 3: 9 -10) • Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9: 7)

5. THE PRIORITY OF THE MASTER • Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9: 15) • “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. ” (John 14: 15)

PUTTING GOD FIRST IN YOUR FINANCES Matthew 6: 19 -24