Aligning Hearts: Treasures, Trust, and Stewardship
Summary
In today's reflection, we delve into the profound teachings of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew, focusing on the relationship between our treasures and our hearts. Jesus instructs us to prioritize heavenly treasures over earthly ones, emphasizing that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. This teaching challenges us to examine our relationship with material wealth and its impact on our spiritual lives. The eye, as the lamp of the body, symbolizes our perspective and focus. A healthy eye, or perspective, fills our lives with light, while an unhealthy one leads to darkness. This metaphor underscores the importance of aligning our focus with God's kingdom and righteousness.
We are reminded that we cannot serve both God and wealth, as divided loyalties lead to spiritual conflict. Jesus calls us to trust in God's provision, using the examples of birds and lilies to illustrate God's care for creation. This trust liberates us from the anxieties of daily life, allowing us to seek God's kingdom first. As we enter our stewardship season, we are invited to reflect on our financial contributions to the church and its missions. The story of Bill and Edith humorously highlights the sensitive nature of discussing money, yet it is a crucial aspect of our faith journey.
Money, as a spiritual issue, is frequently addressed in the Bible, with Jesus dedicating a significant portion of his teachings to it. Our financial investments reveal our priorities and shape our affections. By giving to God, we cultivate a deeper love for God and the church. This principle is illustrated through personal anecdotes and examples, emphasizing that our love for God grows through our giving rather than receiving. As we consider our pledges for the coming year, we are encouraged to view our financial stewardship as an expression of our devotion and commitment to God's work.
Key Takeaways:
1. Heavenly Treasures Over Earthly Wealth: Jesus teaches us to prioritize heavenly treasures, as they are imperishable and reflect our true spiritual values. Our earthly possessions can distract us from our spiritual journey, but by focusing on God's kingdom, we align our hearts with eternal purposes. [01:28]
2. The Eye as the Lamp of the Body: Our perspective shapes our spiritual health. A healthy focus on God's light fills our lives with clarity and purpose, while an unhealthy focus leads to spiritual darkness. This calls us to examine what we allow to influence our vision and priorities. [03:06]
3. Trust in God's Provision: Jesus reassures us of God's care, urging us not to worry about material needs. By observing nature, we learn to trust in God's provision, freeing us from anxiety and enabling us to seek God's kingdom first. [06:16]
4. The Spiritual Significance of Money: Money is a significant spiritual issue, as it reveals our priorities and shapes our affections. Jesus frequently addresses money in his teachings, highlighting its impact on our relationship with God and others. [09:34]
5. Giving as an Act of Devotion: Our financial contributions to God and the church deepen our love and commitment. By investing in God's work, we cultivate a heart aligned with God's purposes, demonstrating that our love for God grows through giving. [13:02]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:28] - Heavenly Treasures
- [03:06] - The Eye and Spiritual Health
- [04:40] - The Story of Bill and Edith
- [06:16] - Trust in God's Provision
- [07:56] - Money as a Spiritual Issue
- [09:34] - The Impact of Giving
- [11:08] - The Connection Between Wallets and Hearts
- [13:02] - Stewardship Season Invitation
- [14:45] - The Legacy of Faithful Giving
- [15:59] - The Importance of Financial Stewardship
- [21:50] - Closing Reflections
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 6:19-34
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus mean when he says, "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"? How does this relate to our priorities? [01:28]
2. How does Jesus use the examples of birds and lilies to illustrate God's provision? What is the significance of these examples? [06:16]
3. In the sermon, the pastor shared a humorous story about Bill and Edith. What was the main point of this story, and how does it relate to the topic of financial stewardship? [04:40]
4. According to the sermon, why is money considered a significant spiritual issue in the Bible? [09:34]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the metaphor of the eye as the lamp of the body help us understand the importance of our focus and perspective in spiritual matters? [03:06]
2. What does it mean to serve two masters, and why does Jesus say it is impossible? How does this apply to our relationship with God and wealth? [01:28]
3. The sermon mentions that our financial investments reveal our priorities. How can this understanding influence our approach to giving and stewardship? [07:56]
4. How does the act of giving to God and the church deepen our love and commitment, according to the sermon? [13:02]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current priorities. Are there any earthly treasures that might be distracting you from focusing on God's kingdom? How can you realign your priorities this week? [01:28]
2. Consider the examples of birds and lilies. How can you practice trusting in God's provision in your daily life, especially in areas where you feel anxious? [06:16]
3. The sermon highlighted the sensitive nature of discussing money. How comfortable are you with discussing financial stewardship in your faith community? What steps can you take to engage more openly in these conversations? [04:40]
4. Think about your financial contributions to the church. How do they reflect your commitment to God's work? Is there a specific area where you feel called to increase your giving? [13:02]
5. The sermon suggests that our love for God grows through giving rather than receiving. How can you incorporate this principle into your spiritual practice this month? [09:34]
6. Reflect on the connection between your financial decisions and your spiritual life. How can you ensure that your financial choices align with your faith values? [07:56]
7. As we enter the stewardship season, what specific actions can you take to support your church's missions and ministries? How can you involve your family or community in this process? [13:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning Our Hearts with Eternal Treasures
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches the importance of prioritizing heavenly treasures over earthly ones. This teaching challenges us to examine our relationship with material wealth and its impact on our spiritual lives. Earthly possessions can often distract us from our spiritual journey, but by focusing on God's kingdom, we align our hearts with eternal purposes. Jesus emphasizes that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also, urging us to invest in what truly matters. This perspective invites us to reflect on what we value most and how it shapes our lives. [01:28]
Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What is one earthly possession or pursuit that often distracts you from focusing on God's kingdom? How can you begin to shift your focus towards heavenly treasures today?
Day 2: The Light of a Healthy Perspective
Jesus uses the metaphor of the eye as the lamp of the body to illustrate how our perspective shapes our spiritual health. A healthy eye, or perspective, fills our lives with light, clarity, and purpose, while an unhealthy one leads to spiritual darkness. This teaching calls us to examine what we allow to influence our vision and priorities. By aligning our focus with God's light, we can navigate life with a sense of direction and fulfillment. It is a reminder to be mindful of what we consume and how it affects our spiritual well-being. [03:06]
Proverbs 20:27 (ESV): "The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts."
Reflection: What influences in your life might be clouding your spiritual vision? How can you adjust your focus to allow more of God's light into your daily perspective?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Provision
Jesus reassures us of God's care and provision, urging us not to worry about material needs. By observing nature, such as the birds and lilies, we learn to trust in God's provision, freeing us from anxiety and enabling us to seek God's kingdom first. This trust liberates us from the anxieties of daily life, allowing us to focus on what truly matters. Jesus invites us to rely on God's faithfulness, knowing that He cares for us and will provide for our needs. This teaching encourages us to let go of worry and embrace a life of faith and trust. [06:16]
Matthew 6:26-27 (ESV): "Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust in God's provision? How can you begin to release your worries and trust in His care today?
Day 4: The Spiritual Impact of Money
Money is a significant spiritual issue, as it reveals our priorities and shapes our affections. Jesus frequently addresses money in his teachings, highlighting its impact on our relationship with God and others. Our financial investments reveal what we truly value and can either draw us closer to God or create a barrier between us. By examining our relationship with money, we can better understand its influence on our spiritual journey. This teaching challenges us to consider how our financial decisions reflect our commitment to God's kingdom and purposes. [09:34]
1 Timothy 6:9-10 (ESV): "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."
Reflection: How do your financial decisions reflect your spiritual priorities? What changes can you make to ensure your money serves God's purposes rather than your own?
Day 5: Giving as a Path to Deeper Devotion
Our financial contributions to God and the church deepen our love and commitment. By investing in God's work, we cultivate a heart aligned with God's purposes, demonstrating that our love for God grows through giving. This principle is illustrated through personal anecdotes and examples, emphasizing that our love for God grows through our giving rather than receiving. As we consider our pledges for the coming year, we are encouraged to view our financial stewardship as an expression of our devotion and commitment to God's work. [13:02]
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: How does your current level of giving reflect your love and commitment to God? What steps can you take to make your financial stewardship a more intentional act of devotion?
Quotes
1) "Therefore, I say to you, don't worry about your life, what you eat or you'll drink or about your body, what you wear. Isn't life more than food and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds in the sky. They don't sow seed or harvest grain or gather crops into barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth much more than they are? Who among you by worrying can add a single drop of water to the water? Who among you can add a single moment to your life?" [01:28] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "So, people oftentimes get this backwards. Sometimes they say, where your heart is, that's where your treasure is also. In other words, you'll spend your money on the things that you love. And it's probably true, but that's not what Jesus said. Jesus said, where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. In other words, once you invest in something, you learn to love it or love it more. Your assets can take the lead. It creates or enhances affection. If we have no money at risk, we tend not to care about something as deeply." [07:56] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "If we give money to the church, we learn through that to love the church more. If we give money to God, it gives us the opportunity to love God more. Our giving to God is more effective in building devotion than receiving from God. Think about it. If God were to bless you with an extra $20,000 this week, let's say a rich uncle died and left you an inheritance, what effect would that have on your spiritual life? Would that cause you to love God more? Probably not." [09:34] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "My point is that our love for God depends more on what we give to God than what we receive from God. It seems backwards, except it's true, and God knows that. After all, the Creator made us. God knows how we are wired, how our different parts connect together. God knows that one of the largest gauge wires provides a direct connection between our wallets and our hearts." [11:08] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "We're spending time talking about money this morning because money is important. We're here this morning because over 200 years of faithful people have sat in these pews and made sure that this campus, this spiritual community, would be here for us. The care that they took to pass on what they had received better than they received it is all around us. And if we want this church to be here for the people who come after us, it's our responsibility to do the same thing." [13:02] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "A friend of mine once said to me that he knows everything he needs to know about what's important in someone's life if he can look at their bank register and their calendar. Is that pretty much it? Is that pretty much it? Is that pretty much it? That pretty much sums everything up. But nothing establishes our spiritual devotion more quickly and more firmly than what we give to God through our congregations, missions, and ministries." [14:45] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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