Investing in Eternity: Treasures of the Kingdom

Devotional

Day 1: Invest in Eternal Treasures, Not Earthly Possessions

Jesus calls us to invest our lives and resources in what lasts forever, not in things that can be lost or destroyed. Earthly possessions—no matter how valuable—are temporary and can be taken away in an instant, as seen in the devastation of homes and treasures lost to fire or disaster. But when we store up treasures in heaven by giving our time, talents, and resources to God’s work, we are investing in something that cannot be stolen or ruined. The true measure of our heart is revealed by where we place our treasure; if our hearts are set on God, our investments will reflect that. [45:21]

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 possession or comfort you tend to cling to most tightly? How could you begin to shift your focus from that earthly treasure to investing in something eternal this week?

Day 2: Seek God’s Kingdom First and Trust His Provision

God promises to provide for every need when we put His kingdom and righteousness above all else. Worrying about money, status, or the future cannot add a single moment to our lives, and God is not against us having nice things—but He wants to be first in our hearts. When we seek Him first, He supplies what we need, often in ways we could never have imagined. The challenge is to trust Him enough to surrender our priorities, knowing that He is the true source of every blessing. [34:01]

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Reflection: What is one area where you tend to worry about provision or security? How can you intentionally put God’s kingdom first in that area today?

Day 3: The Love of Money vs. Loving God

Money itself is not evil, but loving money above God leads to all kinds of trouble and spiritual emptiness. God blesses us with resources not so we can hoard them, but so we can bless others and invest in His purposes. The real test is whether we trust God enough to give, even when it feels risky or sacrificial. When we hold our resources with open hands, God multiplies them for His glory and our good, teaching us that true security and joy come from Him, not from wealth. [48:38]

1 Timothy 6:10 (ESV)
“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: Is there a financial decision or opportunity before you where you sense God asking you to trust Him more than your bank account? What would it look like to respond in faith rather than fear?

Day 4: God Wants Your Heart, Not Just Your Resources

God owns everything already; what He truly desires is your heart and your willingness to surrender all to Him. Our giving—whether of money, time, or talents—is not about meeting God’s needs, but about aligning our hearts with His. When we give out of what He has already blessed us with, we participate in His work and open ourselves to even greater blessings. The act of giving is a declaration that our trust is in God, not in our possessions, and that we want to be part of what He is doing in the world. [55:26]

Psalm 24:1 (ESV)
“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.”

Reflection: In what ways might your resources—money, time, or abilities—be holding you back from fully surrendering to God? What is one step you can take this week to offer your heart more fully to Him?

Day 5: Kingdom Investment Brings Lasting Reward

Investing in God’s kingdom—through generosity, service, and obedience—yields a return far greater than anything the world can offer. God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others, and He multiplies what we give for His purposes. When we prioritize kingdom investment over personal comfort or status, we experience God’s faithfulness and provision in powerful ways. The greatest reward is not material wealth, but the joy and fulfillment of being part of God’s redemptive work in the world. [01:11:07]

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (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. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally invest in God’s kingdom this week—whether through giving, serving, or encouraging someone? How might God be inviting you to trust Him with the results?

Sermon Summary

Today’s gathering was a celebration of God’s faithfulness, the joy of community, and a call to examine where our hearts and investments truly lie. We began by rejoicing in worship and witnessing the powerful step of baptism for Landon and Random, a reminder that our outreach and generosity have eternal impact. Their journey into our church family started with a simple act of outreach—an Easter event—and blossomed into a public declaration of faith, underscoring why we invest time, resources, and love into our community.

The heart of the teaching centered on Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:19-21 and 33, challenging us to consider what we treasure most. Earthly possessions, no matter how valuable, are fleeting and unreliable. The Malibu fires were a vivid illustration—homes and irreplaceable treasures lost in an instant. In contrast, Jesus calls us to invest in what cannot be destroyed: the kingdom of God. Our relationship with money is not just about giving to the church, but about surrendering every part of our lives—time, talent, and treasure—to God’s purposes.

We explored the difference between wise stewardship and misplaced trust. God is not against wealth or nice things; He is against anything that takes His place in our hearts. The real question is not whether we have things, but whether our things have us. The story of the loaves and fishes reminds us that God multiplies what we surrender, but He cannot multiply what we refuse to release.

We also confronted the “elephant in the room”—the discomfort many feel when money is discussed in church. Yet, Jesus spoke about money more than any other topic because He knew how easily it could become an idol. True investment in God’s kingdom is not about leftovers or convenience, but about firstfruits and obedience. Like the Israelites who gave from what God had already provided, we are called to recognize that everything we have is from Him and for Him.

Ultimately, the invitation is to seek God’s kingdom above all else, trusting that He will provide for every need. When we invest in what matters to God, we find freedom, purpose, and a return that far exceeds anything this world can offer.

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Key Takeaways

1. Baptism and Belonging: The Power of Public Commitment Baptism is more than a ritual; it is a covenant—both with God and with the church community. When someone is baptized, they are not only declaring their faith in Jesus but also inviting the church to walk with them, support them, and hold them accountable. This mutual commitment is foundational to authentic Christian community and reminds us that our faith is never meant to be lived in isolation. [13:03]
2. Earthly Investments Are Temporary, Kingdom Investments Are Eternal The things we accumulate—houses, cars, clothes—can be lost in a moment, as seen in the devastation of Malibu. Jesus warns us not to store up treasures on earth, but to invest in what cannot be destroyed. Our hearts inevitably follow our investments, so if we want our hearts to be aligned with God, our resources must be directed toward His purposes. [44:19]
3. God Multiplies What We Surrender, Not What We Withhold The miracle of the loaves and fishes teaches that God can do extraordinary things with what we are willing to give up, no matter how small it seems. If we cling tightly to our resources, we limit what God can do through us. True faith is demonstrated when we trust God enough to release even our last dollar, believing He will provide and multiply. [50:37]
4. Wise Stewardship Means Prioritizing God Over Comfort and Security Planning for the future and providing for our families is wise, but these good things must never come before obedience to God. The temptation to let worry and self-preservation dictate our decisions is strong, but Jesus calls us to seek His kingdom first. When we do, we discover that God is both our provider and our security, freeing us from the tyranny of worry. [54:35]
5. Everything We Have Is God’s—We Are Blessed to Be a Blessing The Israelites left Egypt with wealth they did not earn, and God later called them to give from that blessing. Likewise, all we possess is ultimately from God, and He asks us to steward it for His glory. When we recognize this, generosity becomes a joyful response, not a burdensome obligation, and we position ourselves to receive even greater blessings for the sake of others. [63:29]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:13] - Kim’s Special Opening
[04:19] - Worship and Praise
[09:53] - Baptism Celebration
[11:38] - The Power of Outreach
[13:03] - The Meaning of Baptism and Covenant
[16:11] - Thankful for Freedom
[28:27] - Announcements and Operation Christmas Shoebox
[33:21] - Scripture Reading: Matthew 6
[35:22] - Addressing the Elephant: Money and the Church
[38:35] - The Danger of Discontentment
[39:54] - What Are You Investing In?
[44:19] - The Fleeting Nature of Earthly Treasures
[46:50] - Rewards for Kingdom Investment
[49:08] - In God We Trust?
[50:37] - God Multiplies What We Surrender
[54:35] - Wise Stewardship and Priorities
[57:12] - God’s Investment in Us
[63:29] - Giving from God’s Blessing
[66:33] - Why We Give: Impact and Testimony
[70:29] - Surrender and Kingdom Return
[71:47] - A Call to Invest in the Kingdom
[72:10] - Closing and Church Family Time

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 6:19-21, 33 (ESV) — 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
...
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Observation Questions

According to Matthew 6:19-21, what are the differences between earthly treasures and heavenly treasures?
In the sermon, what was the significance of Landon and Random’s baptism for the church community? [[13:03]]
What example did the pastor use to show how quickly earthly possessions can be lost? [[44:19]]
What did Jesus say about the connection between our treasure and our heart? [[45:21]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus warns us not to store up treasures on earth? What does this reveal about the nature of earthly things versus eternal things? [[44:19]]
The pastor said, “God multiplies what we surrender, not what we withhold.” What does this mean in practical terms for our lives? [[50:37]]
How does the story of the Israelites leaving Egypt with wealth they didn’t earn relate to our own view of what we possess? [[01:03:29]]
Why do you think Jesus talked about money so much, and why does it make people uncomfortable when the church discusses it? [[35:22]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to consider what we are truly investing in—our comfort, our possessions, or God’s kingdom. If you looked at your calendar and bank statement, what would they say about your priorities? Is there anything you feel prompted to change? [[39:54]]
The pastor shared about the Malibu fires and how quickly “irreplaceable” things were lost. Is there something you’re holding onto tightly that, if lost, would shake your sense of security? How can you begin to trust God more with that area? [[44:19]]
Baptism was described as a covenant with both God and the church. How can you support others in your church family who are making new commitments or taking steps of faith? [[13:03]]
The story of the loaves and fishes shows God multiplies what we surrender. Is there a resource (time, talent, or money) you’ve been holding back from God? What would it look like to release it to Him this week? [[50:37]]
The pastor addressed the discomfort around talking about money in church. What are your honest feelings about giving and generosity? Have past experiences shaped your view, and how might God be inviting you to see it differently? [[35:22]]
The Israelites gave from what God had already provided. When you think about your own blessings, do you see them as yours or as God’s? How might this perspective shift your approach to generosity? [[01:03:29]]
Jesus said to “seek first the kingdom of God.” What is one practical way you can put God’s kingdom first in your life this week, even if it means sacrificing comfort or convenience? [[54:35]]

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