Upside Down Kingdom: Mission & Message | Week 10 | Kingdom Economy | Matthew 6:19-24

Week 10 | Kingdom Economy

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on 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 and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21

Matthew 6:19-24
 
Jesus knows how easily His disciples can turn their attention and affections from the King, Father, and Gift-Giver to the gifts He’s given them. We can quickly find ourselves pursuing and serving God’s gifts rather than loving God and loving people. Jesus knows money is used by us to show what we value, so Jesus teaches on the obligations and pitfalls of how we steward our finances for God’s glory and our joy.

Treasure on Earth vs Treasures in Heaven (6:19-21) - What is Treasure? It absolutely includes money, but it is a big all-inclusive term of anything we see as valuable. Jesus says earthly treasure is a bad investment. Why? Because earthly treasures wear out, they are corrupted rust meaning they can easily decay or be devoured. When they are gone or rotten, we are quickly led to discontentment. This causes us to spend and get, or strive to achieve, leaving us less content than we previously were. Conversely, Treasures in Heaven are secure and eternal. They do not wear out, cannot be used up and will be enjoyed forever. The implication is we invest in what cannot be taken away but what is guarded by God. How and where we invest shows where our heart is. Our battle is not with the budget or the income it is with our heart first. Money is not about math it is about worship.

Gospel Vision (6:21-23) - It in the context of what we value, Jesus talks about what we see. We are always fixated and focused on something. We have hopes and dreams we entertain. They are not neutral. Our vision, what we focus on, what we feast our eyes and mind with have incredible power. What we see can be incredibly motivating. Our motivations can also be all controlling because they lead to action. Look to a new horizon long for the coming country while loving those in our current country.

Choose Your Master (6:24) - With our vision right, Jesus calls us to choose which king and which kingdom we are going to serve. There are two kingdoms we can accumulate treasure in earth or heaven, two ways of viewing the world in, either in darkness or light, and there are only two masters we will ultimately serve, God or money. Choose Wisely.

QUESTIONS: 

1. What part of the text or sermon had the greatest impact on you? Did you learn anything new about Jesus, God, or Money?
2. How do you assess what your “Treasure” is? What do you value most? What would you most hate to lose? What do you think about most when you have free time?
3. How is the concept of Treasures in Heaven comforting and motivating? Where is Jesus calling you to invest in now?
4. What does your current relationship with money look like?Where do you need help? What does your stewardship and generosity look like?

PRAY –  Praise God the Father for His perfect provision for us. Thank Jesus for teaching us to look beyond the temporary and fleeting to what is eternal and satisfying. Seek guidance from the Holy Spirit to help steward your finances for God’s glory and your joy.