Choosing Eternal Treasures Over Earthly Possessions
Summary
### Summary
This morning, we began our service by reading Psalm 13, a heartfelt cry from David asking God how long he will feel forgotten and overwhelmed by his enemies. Despite his anguish, David ends the Psalm with a declaration of trust in God's steadfast love and salvation. This sets the tone for our focus today on Matthew 6:19-24, where Jesus teaches about the importance of where we place our treasures.
We explored the concept of earthly versus heavenly treasures. Earthly treasures, such as money and possessions, are temporary and can be destroyed or stolen. Jesus warns us not to place our ultimate value on these things. Instead, we should focus on heavenly treasures, which are eternal and cannot be taken away. These include our relationship with God, the joy of seeing others come to faith, and the rewards we will receive in heaven for our faithfulness.
We also discussed the focus of our eyes and the devotion of our lives. Jesus uses the metaphor of the eye as the lamp of the body to illustrate that what we focus on influences our entire being. If our eyes are fixed on materialism, we will be filled with darkness. Conversely, if our eyes are focused on God and His kingdom, we will be filled with light.
Finally, we examined the impossibility of serving two masters. We cannot serve both God and money; we must choose where our ultimate loyalty lies. This choice impacts our priorities, our actions, and ultimately, our eternal destiny.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Temporary Nature of Earthly Treasures: Earthly possessions are fleeting and vulnerable to decay and theft. Jesus teaches us to shift our focus from accumulating material wealth to storing up treasures in heaven, which are eternal and secure. This shift in focus helps us live with an eternal perspective, valuing what truly matters in the long run. [34:35]
2. The Influence of Our Focus: What we set our eyes on shapes our entire being. If we focus on materialism, we will be filled with darkness. However, if we focus on God and His kingdom, we will be filled with light. This principle challenges us to evaluate what we are allowing to influence our hearts and minds daily. [54:39]
3. The Incompatibility of Serving Two Masters: Jesus makes it clear that we cannot serve both God and money. Our devotion must be singular and focused on God. This teaching calls us to examine our loyalties and make a conscious decision to prioritize our relationship with God over material pursuits. [01:00:52]
4. The Eternal Perspective on Possessions: The Apostle Paul reminds us that godliness with contentment is great gain. We brought nothing into this world and can take nothing out. Therefore, our contentment should not be tied to material possessions but to our relationship with God and our eternal rewards. [38:04]
5. Practical Steps for Refocusing: If we find ourselves overly focused on material things, we need to repent and refocus our attention on Christ. This involves confessing our misplaced priorities to God and making a deliberate effort to fix our eyes on Jesus and the eternal treasures He offers. [01:02:50]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:10] - Scripture Reading: Psalm 13
[04:24] - Opening Prayer
[15:11] - Announcements and Fall Guide
[16:14] - Upcoming Events Overview
[17:21] - Hoosier One Campaign Introduction
[18:46] - Visual Progress of Hoosier One
[20:00] - Marriage Retreat and Date Nights
[21:17] - Preaching Calendar Overview
[22:38] - Missions Emphasis Month
[24:01] - Missionary Highlights
[25:34] - Offering and Prayer
[33:04] - Introduction to Matthew 6:19-24
[34:35] - Earthly vs. Heavenly Treasures
[36:24] - The Problem with Materialism
[38:04] - Eternal Perspective on Possessions
[39:39] - Three Perspectives on Treasures
[41:24] - The Treasure of Our Heart
[43:09] - Examples of Earthly Treasures
[44:46] - Proper Perspective on Possessions
[46:06] - Temporary Nature of Earthly Treasures
[47:53] - The Rich Young Ruler
[49:23] - Heavenly Treasures
[51:04] - How to Lay Up Heavenly Treasures
[52:52] - The Focus of Our Eyes
[54:39] - Influence of Our Focus
[56:28] - The Problem with Materialism
[58:47] - Devotion of Our Life
[01:00:52] - Serving Two Masters
[01:02:50] - Application: Repent and Refocus
[01:05:43] - Invitation and Closing Prayer
[01:10:10] - Final Announcements and Prayer Requests
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Psalm 13
- Matthew 6:19-24
- 1 Timothy 6:6-8
### Observation Questions
1. What emotions does David express in Psalm 13, and how does he conclude the Psalm? ([03:10])
2. According to Matthew 6:19-24, what are the differences between earthly and heavenly treasures? ([34:35])
3. What metaphor does Jesus use to describe the influence of our focus in Matthew 6:22-23? ([54:39])
4. In 1 Timothy 6:6-8, what does Paul say about contentment and material possessions? ([38:04])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does David's declaration of trust in Psalm 13 relate to the concept of heavenly treasures in Matthew 6:19-24? ([03:10])
2. What does it mean for our eyes to be the "lamp of the body," and how does this affect our spiritual well-being? ([54:39])
3. Why is it impossible to serve both God and money according to Jesus in Matthew 6:24? ([01:00:52])
4. How does Paul's teaching on contentment in 1 Timothy 6:6-8 challenge our modern views on material wealth? ([38:04])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current priorities. Are there any earthly treasures you are valuing too highly? How can you shift your focus to heavenly treasures this week? ([34:35])
2. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure your eyes are focused on God and His kingdom rather than materialism? ([54:39])
3. Have you ever felt torn between serving God and pursuing material wealth? How did you resolve this conflict, or how can you begin to address it now? ([01:00:52])
4. In what ways can you cultivate contentment in your life, as Paul describes in 1 Timothy 6:6-8? Identify one specific area where you can practice contentment this week. ([38:04])
5. Think about a time when you felt overwhelmed by material pursuits. How did it affect your relationship with God and others? What changes can you make to avoid this in the future? ([56:28])
6. How can you incorporate the practice of laying up heavenly treasures in your daily routine? Consider actions like prayer, acts of kindness, or sharing your faith. ([49:23])
7. Identify one person in your life who might be struggling with materialism. How can you support and encourage them to focus on eternal treasures? ([18:46])
Devotional
Day 1: The Temporary Nature of Earthly Treasures
Earthly possessions are fleeting and vulnerable to decay and theft. Jesus teaches us to shift our focus from accumulating material wealth to storing up treasures in heaven, which are eternal and secure. This shift in focus helps us live with an eternal perspective, valuing what truly matters in the long run. Earthly treasures, such as money and possessions, are temporary and can be destroyed or stolen. Jesus warns us not to place our ultimate value on these things. Instead, we should focus on heavenly treasures, which include our relationship with God, the joy of seeing others come to faith, and the rewards we will receive in heaven for our faithfulness. This perspective helps us to live with an eternal mindset, prioritizing what truly matters in the long run. [34:35]
"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." (Matthew 6:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: What is one earthly possession you find yourself overly attached to? How can you begin to shift your focus from this possession to something of eternal value today?
Day 2: The Influence of Our Focus
What we set our eyes on shapes our entire being. If we focus on materialism, we will be filled with darkness. However, if we focus on God and His kingdom, we will be filled with light. This principle challenges us to evaluate what we are allowing to influence our hearts and minds daily. Jesus uses the metaphor of the eye as the lamp of the body to illustrate that what we focus on influences our entire being. If our eyes are fixed on materialism, we will be filled with darkness. Conversely, if our eyes are focused on God and His kingdom, we will be filled with light. This principle challenges us to evaluate what we are allowing to influence our hearts and minds daily. [54:39]
"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!" (Matthew 6:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: What is one thing you can do today to refocus your eyes on God and His kingdom instead of material things?
Day 3: The Incompatibility of Serving Two Masters
Jesus makes it clear that we cannot serve both God and money. Our devotion must be singular and focused on God. This teaching calls us to examine our loyalties and make a conscious decision to prioritize our relationship with God over material pursuits. We cannot serve both God and money; we must choose where our ultimate loyalty lies. This choice impacts our priorities, our actions, and ultimately, our eternal destiny. Jesus makes it clear that our devotion must be singular and focused on God. This teaching calls us to examine our loyalties and make a conscious decision to prioritize our relationship with God over material pursuits. [01:00:52]
"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." (Matthew 6:24, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can demonstrate your loyalty to God over material pursuits today?
Day 4: The Eternal Perspective on Possessions
The Apostle Paul reminds us that godliness with contentment is great gain. We brought nothing into this world and can take nothing out. Therefore, our contentment should not be tied to material possessions but to our relationship with God and our eternal rewards. Earthly treasures are temporary, but heavenly treasures are eternal. This perspective helps us to live with an eternal mindset, prioritizing what truly matters in the long run. The Apostle Paul reminds us that godliness with contentment is great gain. We brought nothing into this world and can take nothing out. Therefore, our contentment should not be tied to material possessions but to our relationship with God and our eternal rewards. [38:04]
"But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content." (1 Timothy 6:6-8, ESV)
Reflection: How can you practice contentment today, focusing on your relationship with God rather than material possessions?
Day 5: Practical Steps for Refocusing
If we find ourselves overly focused on material things, we need to repent and refocus our attention on Christ. This involves confessing our misplaced priorities to God and making a deliberate effort to fix our eyes on Jesus and the eternal treasures He offers. If we find ourselves overly focused on material things, we need to repent and refocus our attention on Christ. This involves confessing our misplaced priorities to God and making a deliberate effort to fix our eyes on Jesus and the eternal treasures He offers. Practical steps include daily prayer, reading Scripture, and seeking accountability from fellow believers. [01:02:50]
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to refocus your attention on Christ and the eternal treasures He offers?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "So starting September 1st, we're going to be we're encouraging everybody and I hope everybody, you know, want to ask everybody to get on board with this. Now start thinking about one person that you have in your life, whether that's a co-worker, whether that's somebody in your neighborhood, whether that's a friend, whoever that may be that, you know, is in need of salvation." [17:21] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So if you're looking to the right things your body will be full of light but if your eye is bad your whole body will be full of darkness so if your eye is looking at the right things your life will be full of light but if you're looking at the wrong things and you will be stuck living in darkness." [56:28] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Materialism makes promises that it just can't keep promises things like happiness which we know is just absolutely not the case promises things like purpose like power it just doesn't work that way constantly chasing after the next thing as the focus in this life." [56:28] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So the question remains who do we serve what do we serve John Calvin said this I didn't purposefully make all of these quotes to be by men whose names start with John that's just how it worked out kind of like an alliterated outline so to speak but anyways he says this where riches hold the dominion of the heart god has lost his authority." [01:00:52] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So what are we focusing on our is our focus is our eyes fixed on Jesus or the things of this world what do you treasure where is your heart at where's your focus at where's your drive where's your purpose where are your desires at we are to lay up treasures with an eternal perspective in mind those are the things that will last and those are the things that you and I ought to truly every eye closed." [01:02:50] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The key is to have the proper attitude when it comes to our possessions and what we treasure I believe the apostle Paul had the right attitude when it came to possessions in first Timothy chapter number six in verses six through eight it'll be up on the screen as well but godliness with contentment is great gain for we brought nothing into the world and we cannot take anything out of the world but if we have food and clothing with these we will be content." [38:04] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The location of our treasure is an indication of where our heart already is spiritual problems are always heart problems and if our hearts are right how we handle our possessions will be right also the treasure of our heart the second perspective I want to share with you is the focus of our eyes." [52:52] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So if we see things with an earthly perspective thinking that that that's all that there is and that's all that's important then we will live like right now is all that matters you but if we live our life with an eternal perspective looking to the things that are to come then we will see that the life we live here actually influences the life that we will have later." [44:46] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So the choice is very simple do we serve the god of this world the god of materialism or are we serving are we focusing on laying up treasures in heaven and serving the god of everything father we thank you for our time together in your word and father if if if we have in any way whether we have been solely focusing on the things of this world or if we've been guilty of straddling that line help us to come to you to confess that to make it right but help us to refocus and to recalibrate ourselves on serving you and you alone and laying up for ourselves treasures with an eternal perspective in mind." [01:05:43] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So in our passage this morning christ is going to test the things that we see as important and I want to share this morning three perspectives about what we treasure let's bow for a quick word of prayer and we'll dive into these perspectives let's pray heavenly father thank you so much for who you are thank you so much that you certainly are a holy god and I pray that each and every one of us will strive to be holy in our lives." [39:39] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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