Investing in Eternal Treasures: A Kingdom Perspective
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we continue our series on the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on Matthew 6:19-24. Jesus teaches us about the kingdom of God and how we should live as His followers. He emphasizes the importance of storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. Earthly treasures are temporary and can be destroyed or stolen, but heavenly treasures are eternal and secure. Jesus challenges us to examine where our hearts truly lie, as our treasures reveal our priorities.
We live in a highly materialistic age with unprecedented access to goods and services. Yet, the Bible reminds us of the fleeting nature of life and material possessions. Psalms 39:4-5 and Ecclesiastes 5:15 highlight our frailty and the reality that we cannot take our earthly possessions with us when we die. Even non-believers like Stephen King have recognized this truth through personal experiences.
Jesus' teaching calls us to adopt an eternal perspective, viewing our lives through the lens of the kingdom of God. This perspective should shape our values, decisions, and actions. A.W. Tozer offers a fourfold test to identify our true treasures: what we value most, what we would hate to lose, what occupies our thoughts, and what brings us the greatest pleasure. Jim Elliot and Philip Henry echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the wisdom of investing in eternal treasures.
Our perspective influences our paradigm, which in turn shapes our daily practices. Jesus is not against having material possessions, but He warns against letting them dominate our lives. Instead, we should focus on eternal rewards, which are often described as heavenly treasures or crowns in the Bible. These rewards are given based on how we live our lives for the kingdom of God.
The judgment seat of Christ, or the Bema seat, is where believers' lives will be reviewed and rewarded. This judgment is not about salvation but about how we have stewarded what God has given us. Our works done in righteousness will follow us into eternity and grant us eternal rewards.
C.S. Lewis and A.W. Tozer both highlight the importance of thinking about the next world to be effective in this one. Tozer speaks of the transmutation of wealth, where earthly possessions can be turned into heavenly treasures through acts of love and service. John Wesley's life exemplifies this principle, as he gave away most of his income to help others.
In conclusion, Jesus calls us to live with an eternal perspective, investing in the kingdom of God. Our faith should be accompanied by works that reflect our commitment to the gospel and the well-being of others. Let us strive to live in light of eternity, stewarding what God has given us for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom.
### Key Takeaways
1. Eternal Perspective: Jesus teaches us to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. Earthly possessions are temporary and can be destroyed or stolen, but heavenly treasures are eternal and secure. This perspective should shape our values, decisions, and actions, focusing on what truly matters in the kingdom of God. [09:09]
2. Materialism and Frailty: We live in a highly materialistic age with unprecedented access to goods and services. Yet, the Bible reminds us of the fleeting nature of life and material possessions. Psalms 39:4-5 and Ecclesiastes 5:15 highlight our frailty and the reality that we cannot take our earthly possessions with us when we die. [12:38]
3. Identifying True Treasures: A.W. Tozer offers a fourfold test to identify our true treasures: what we value most, what we would hate to lose, what occupies our thoughts, and what brings us the greatest pleasure. This helps us discern whether we are investing in temporary or eternal treasures. [20:02]
4. Judgment and Rewards: The judgment seat of Christ, or the Bema seat, is where believers' lives will be reviewed and rewarded. This judgment is not about salvation but about how we have stewarded what God has given us. Our works done in righteousness will follow us into eternity and grant us eternal rewards. [39:25]
5. Transmutation of Wealth: A.W. Tozer speaks of the transmutation of wealth, where earthly possessions can be turned into heavenly treasures through acts of love and service. John Wesley's life exemplifies this principle, as he gave away most of his income to help others, showing that our material resources can have eternal significance. [47:14]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[07:59] - Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
[09:09] - Reading Matthew 6:19-24
[10:43] - Prayer and Reflection
[11:10] - Jesus' Challenge to His Disciples
[12:38] - Materialism in Today's World
[14:17] - The Great Wealth Transfer
[16:11] - You Can't Take It With You
[17:44] - Stephen King's Realization
[19:11] - Jesus' Teaching on Treasures
[20:02] - A.W. Tozer's Fourfold Test
[21:17] - Jim Elliot and Philip Henry
[23:01] - Temporal vs. Eternal Perspective
[25:21] - Kingdom Perspective
[28:26] - The Onslaught of the Temporary
[31:04] - Thinking About Eternity
[32:47] - Perspective, Paradigm, and Practice
[34:20] - Heavenly Treasures and Rewards
[39:25] - The Judgment Seat of Christ
[41:14] - Review and Reward
[44:13] - Rewards as Crowns
[47:14] - Transmutation of Wealth
[50:14] - John Wesley's Example
[55:08] - Living for the Kingdom
[56:29] - Faith and Works
[58:07] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:19-24: "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. The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
2. Psalms 39:4-5: "Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; certainly every man at his best state is but vapor."
3. Ecclesiastes 5:15: "As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, to go as he came; and he shall take nothing from his labor which he may carry away in his hand."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus say about storing up treasures on earth versus treasures in heaven in Matthew 6:19-24?
2. According to Psalms 39:4-5, how does the Bible describe the nature of human life and possessions?
3. What does Ecclesiastes 5:15 reveal about the ultimate fate of our earthly possessions?
4. In the sermon, what fourfold test does A.W. Tozer offer to identify our true treasures? [20:02]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:19-24 challenge our modern materialistic mindset? [12:38]
2. What does it mean to have an "eternal perspective" as described in the sermon? How does this perspective influence our daily decisions and actions? [25:21]
3. How can the concept of the "transmutation of wealth" as explained by A.W. Tozer change the way we view and use our material resources? [47:14]
4. What is the significance of the judgment seat of Christ (Bema seat) in evaluating how we have stewarded our lives for the kingdom of God? [39:25]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current priorities. Are there areas in your life where you are storing up treasures on earth rather than in heaven? How can you shift your focus to eternal treasures? [09:09]
2. In what ways can you adopt an eternal perspective in your daily life? Identify one specific change you can make this week to align your actions with this perspective. [25:21]
3. Consider the fourfold test by A.W. Tozer. What do you value most, and how does it reflect your priorities? What steps can you take to ensure your values align with God's kingdom? [20:02]
4. How can you use your material possessions to serve others and invest in the kingdom of God? Think of one practical way you can do this in the coming month. [47:14]
5. Reflect on the concept of the judgment seat of Christ. How does knowing that your life will be reviewed and rewarded by Christ influence your current actions and decisions? [39:25]
6. How can you cultivate a habit of thinking about eternity in your daily life? Identify a specific practice or routine that can help you maintain an eternal perspective. [31:04]
7. John Wesley's example of giving away most of his income is inspiring. What is one way you can follow his example in your own life, even if on a smaller scale? [50:14]
Devotional
Day 1: Storing Treasures in Heaven
Jesus teaches us to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. Earthly possessions are temporary and can be destroyed or stolen, but heavenly treasures are eternal and secure. This perspective should shape our values, decisions, and actions, focusing on what truly matters in the kingdom of God. Jesus challenges us to examine where our hearts truly lie, as our treasures reveal our priorities. By adopting an eternal perspective, we align our lives with the values of the kingdom of God, making decisions that reflect our commitment to eternal rewards rather than temporary gains. [09:09]
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 you find yourself overly attached to? How can you begin to shift your focus towards storing up treasures in heaven instead?
Day 2: The Fleeting Nature of Materialism
We live in a highly materialistic age with unprecedented access to goods and services. Yet, the Bible reminds us of the fleeting nature of life and material possessions. Psalms 39:4-5 and Ecclesiastes 5:15 highlight our frailty and the reality that we cannot take our earthly possessions with us when we die. Even non-believers like Stephen King have recognized this truth through personal experiences. Understanding the temporary nature of material wealth helps us to prioritize what truly matters and to invest in things that have eternal significance. [12:38]
Ecclesiastes 5:15 (ESV): "As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand."
Reflection: Reflect on your daily life and identify one area where materialism has taken hold. What steps can you take today to reduce your focus on material possessions and increase your focus on spiritual growth?
Day 3: Identifying True Treasures
A.W. Tozer offers a fourfold test to identify our true treasures: what we value most, what we would hate to lose, what occupies our thoughts, and what brings us the greatest pleasure. This helps us discern whether we are investing in temporary or eternal treasures. By examining these aspects of our lives, we can better understand where our true priorities lie and make adjustments to align them with the values of the kingdom of God. This self-examination is crucial for living a life that reflects our commitment to eternal rewards. [20:02]
Matthew 6:22-23 (ESV): "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!"
Reflection: Take a moment to evaluate what occupies your thoughts the most. Are these thoughts centered around temporary or eternal treasures? How can you shift your focus to prioritize what truly matters in God's kingdom?
Day 4: Judgment and Rewards
The judgment seat of Christ, or the Bema seat, is where believers' lives will be reviewed and rewarded. This judgment is not about salvation but about how we have stewarded what God has given us. Our works done in righteousness will follow us into eternity and grant us eternal rewards. Understanding this helps us to live with an eternal perspective, making decisions that reflect our commitment to the kingdom of God and the well-being of others. Our daily actions and choices should be influenced by the knowledge that they have eternal significance. [39:25]
2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV): "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."
Reflection: Consider how you are currently stewarding the resources and opportunities God has given you. What is one specific way you can better use these gifts to serve others and advance God's kingdom?
Day 5: Transmutation of Wealth
A.W. Tozer speaks of the transmutation of wealth, where earthly possessions can be turned into heavenly treasures through acts of love and service. John Wesley's life exemplifies this principle, as he gave away most of his income to help others, showing that our material resources can have eternal significance. By using our wealth and resources to serve others and advance God's kingdom, we can transform temporary possessions into eternal rewards. This perspective encourages us to view our material blessings as tools for furthering God's work on earth. [47:14]
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV): "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."
Reflection: Think about your current financial resources. How can you use a portion of your wealth today to perform an act of love or service that will have eternal significance?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Did you know that currently right now you live in the most materialistic age that there has ever been? With more access to stuff than there has ever been access to. I can get a slow boat to China delivery from tons of different apps and get anything that I want. We have Amazon and we have Walmart." [12:38] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You can't take it with you. There is nobody alive today who has ever seen a hearse pulling a trailer or a U-Haul full of stuff. You can't take it with you." [16:11] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "He is no fool who gives away what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." [20:02] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus isn't saying, by the way, you can't have a nice house. You can't have a nice car. You can't have a retirement account. You cannot have any of the things that opportunity has allowed you to have. He is rather saying. Are those the things that drive your life? Are those the things that motivate you?" [26:25] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you read history. You will find that Christians who did the most for the present world. Were precisely those who thought the most of the next. The Christians who did the most in this present world. Were the ones who thought the most about the next." [46:09] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Perspective is that lens that we wear that allows us to view the world in a certain fashion, view our life in a certain fashion. I taught the youth on Wednesday night in the framework of this perspective and a biblical worldview. Biblical worldview is how do we view the events and activities in our life, in our world, in our culture, and we view them through a perspective, a lens, if you will, that is the Bible." [32:47] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The issue at hand is what have you done with what God has given you for the sake of the kingdom? Or has it all been for the sake of yourself? What will you live for?" [41:14] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Any temporal possession can be turned into everlasting wealth. Whatever is given to Christ immediately is touched with immortality." [48:50] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Our goal as believers is to move towards viewing life through a perspective that changes our paradigm. That changes our practice. That is eternal. Rather than that which is temporal. Turning the temporal into the eternal." [45:17] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "What are you living for? Because if Jesus has come and lives inside of you. Our perspective needs to change. And what breaks his heart should break yours." [56:29] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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