Matthew 6:19-21:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
1 Cor 3:13: Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
- It is the quality, not the quantity, of work that God is looking at
- The work we did for the Lord will withstand the “FIRE OF GOD”
- Regarding success in our Christian life
- The Lord is looking at quality instead of quantity
- Is the work I do for the Lord
- To gain blessings
- To accumulate wealth, fame, or power
Does my work come from a sincere and pure heart? 1 Peter 1:22
Do I work and serve the Lord cheerful or grudgingly (meaning in a manner expressing resentment or lack of desire, “I don’t want to do this, but it is my duty)?
THE BIBLE SAYS GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER
2 Cor 2:9: Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
- This scripture is most times associated with tithes and offering
- Which there is nothing wrong with tithes and offering
- However, this scripture can also be about giving of yourself
- Giving to the Lord your time, talent, and skills
- Being concerned about one another
- Praying for and loving one another
LET’S GO TO LUKE 12
Luke 12:32: Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
- These uplifting words were given at the end of a message about covetousness
- Jesus was telling them:
- He was their Shepherd and would provide the needs of His little flock
GO TO LUKE 12:15
Luke 12:15: Jesus said: And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
- Covetousness is an unquenchable thirst for getting more and more of something we think we need in order to be truly satisfied
- It can be a thirst for money or things that money can buy
- A desire for position or power
- Jesus said true life does not depend on the abundance of possessions
In the next vs. Luke 12:16-21, Jesus tells the Parable of the Rich Fool: This parable shows the pointless belief that wealth can secure a good life.
Vs. 16-21: 16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater, and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
- There is nothing wrong with planning for the future
- But this man was all about me, myself and I.
- It was all about him
- Nothing about helping the needy or poor is mentioned
- He thought He was in control of His destiny
Vs. 20 God said though soul is required of thee
- He couldn’t take it with him
- And all that wealth he obtained did nothing for the Kingdom of God
Jesus said in vs. 21 so is he that layeth up treasure for himself but is not rich towards God.
- What you do for the Lord from the heart is what is going to stand in eternity
- It is your heavenly treasures that are important
- The work you do for the Lord is “Laying up treasures in heaven.”
THIS PARABLE MAY APPLY TO INDIVIDUAL COVETOUSNESS BUT COULD ALSO APPLY TO A CHURCH
- Individuals and groups need to guard against covetousness
- And the need look impressive in the eyes of the world
- The church is supposed to be a place of spiritual life and nourishment
- Which eventually will show in our physical lives
THE BIBLE ENCOURAGES US TO HAVE HOLY AMBITION
Luke 12:29-32: And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
- 31 is talking about Heavenly investments
- The Rich fool’s treasures were here on this earth
- We saw in vs. 20 that his soul was required
- “meaning he was leaving this earth.”
- Our treasures and desires are linked to our hearts
Riches are spiritually dangerous
Love of riches a root of many evils
1 Ti 6:10
See also Jos 7:11; Jos 7:20–21; 1 Ti 3:3
They may lead to divided loyalty
Mt 6:24
See also Mt 4:9–10; Jas 4:4
They may hinder people’s response to the gospel
Mt 13:22; Mt 19:21–22
They may create false security
1 Ti 6:17
See also Job 31:24–28; Ps 52:6–7; Pr 11:28; Je 49:4
They may make people proud
Eze 28:5
See also Ps 62:10; Pr 18:23; Pr 28:11; Ho 12:8
They may cause unbelief and anxiety
Ec 5:12
See also Job 20:17–20; Pr 15:6
They may lead people to forget God
Pr 30:8–9
See also Dt 8:10–14; Dt 32:15; Ne 9:25–26; Ho 13:6
Riches are physically dangerous
Working for them may cause excessive tiredness
Pr 23:4
See also Jn 6:26–27
Enjoying them may lead to self-indulgence
Jas 5:5
See also Hag 1:3–5; Mt 23:25; Lk 16:19–21; 1 Ti 6:8–9
Misusing them may foster oppression and injustice
Le 19:13
See also Dt 24:12–15; Pr 22:16; Is 1:23; Je 22:13; Mic 6:12; Mal 3:5; Jas 2:6; Jas 5:4
Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my heart and life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Please, help me to live for you and tell others about you for the rest of this life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.