Shining Your Light: Trusting God Over Money

Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to reflect on the profound teachings of Jesus, particularly focusing on Matthew 5:44 and Matthew 6. We began by discussing the challenging command to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who persecute us. This is a difficult but essential aspect of living out our faith, made possible through the grace of Jesus Christ. We then transitioned to the theme of our church for this year, "Shine Your Light," and how it relates to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Jesus calls us to live differently from the world, and one significant way we can do this is through our approach to finances.

Our society is heavily driven by money, influencing many of our decisions from education to career choices. However, Jesus teaches us to focus on God rather than money. Earthly treasures are temporary and can be destroyed or stolen, but treasures in heaven are eternal. We store up these heavenly treasures by being generous and charitable, reflecting the love and humility of Jesus Christ. Our relationship with God is deeply affected by where we place our treasure, as our hearts follow our investments.

Jesus also emphasizes that we cannot serve both God and money. We must choose who will be the master of our lives. Loving money leads to many sorrows and can cause us to stray from our faith. Instead, we should trust God to provide for our needs, just as He cares for the birds and flowers. Worrying about finances is futile because it does not change our circumstances. God, as a loving Father, knows our needs and will provide for us.

Finally, we are called to seek God's kingdom and His righteousness above all else. Our life's pursuit should not be the accumulation of wealth but the advancement of God's kingdom. This involves using our resources to support ministries and help others, focusing on the present needs rather than hoarding for the future. By handling our finances differently from the world, we can shine our light and demonstrate that Jesus truly makes a difference in our lives.

### Key Takeaways

1. Love Your Enemies: Jesus commands us to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who persecute us. This is one of the hardest teachings to live out, but it is possible through the grace of Jesus Christ. By doing so, we reflect the transformative power of the gospel in our lives. [10:46]

2. Focus on Eternal Treasures: Earthly treasures are temporary and can be destroyed or stolen, but treasures in heaven are eternal. We store up heavenly treasures by being generous and charitable, reflecting the love and humility of Jesus Christ. Our relationship with God is deeply affected by where we place our treasure, as our hearts follow our investments. [30:58]

3. Serve God, Not Money: We cannot serve both God and money. Loving money leads to many sorrows and can cause us to stray from our faith. Instead, we must choose to serve God, allowing Him to dictate our decisions and priorities. This choice reflects our true devotion and trust in Him. [42:51]

4. Trust God for Provision: Worrying about finances is futile because it does not change our circumstances. God, as a loving Father, knows our needs and will provide for us. Trusting God rather than money allows us to live in peace and confidence, knowing that He cares for us deeply. [49:26]

5. Seek God's Kingdom First: Our life's pursuit should be the advancement of God's kingdom and His righteousness, not the accumulation of wealth. By using our resources to support ministries and help others, we focus on the present needs and combat the evils of today. This approach allows us to shine our light and demonstrate the difference Jesus makes in our lives. [55:45]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[04:39] - Scripture Assembly Announcement
[05:20] - Opening Prayer
[10:46] - Love Your Enemies
[24:30] - Is Jesus Everything to You?
[25:05] - Introduction to Sermon on the Mount
[26:14] - Shining Your Light Through Finances
[30:58] - Focus on Eternal Treasures
[42:51] - Serve God, Not Money
[49:26] - Trust God for Provision
[55:45] - Seek God's Kingdom First
[01:00:10] - Conclusion and Prayer
[01:06:30] - Announcements and Prayer Requests
[01:07:42] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 5:44 - "But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."
2. Matthew 6:19-21 - "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
3. Matthew 6:24 - "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

#### Observation Questions
1. What specific actions does Jesus command us to take towards our enemies in Matthew 5:44? How does this reflect the transformative power of the gospel? [10:46]
2. According to Matthew 6:19-21, what are the differences between earthly treasures and heavenly treasures? How does this passage suggest we should handle our finances? [30:58]
3. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus states that we cannot serve both God and money. What does He mean by this, and what are the implications for our daily lives? [42:51]
4. How does Jesus use the examples of birds and flowers in Matthew 6 to illustrate God's provision for our needs? [49:26]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it challenging to love our enemies, and how can the grace of Jesus Christ enable us to fulfill this command? [10:46]
2. How does focusing on eternal treasures rather than earthly ones affect our relationship with God and our overall life priorities? [30:58]
3. What does it mean to serve God rather than money, and how can this choice impact our decisions and priorities? [42:51]
4. How does trusting God for provision change our perspective on financial worries and stress? [49:26]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you found it difficult to love someone who hurt you. How can you apply Jesus' command to love your enemies in that situation? [10:46]
2. Consider your current financial priorities. Are there areas where you are more focused on accumulating earthly treasures rather than storing up treasures in heaven? How can you shift your focus? [30:58]
3. Think about a recent decision you made that was influenced by financial considerations. How might that decision have been different if you were serving God rather than money? [42:51]
4. Identify a specific financial worry you have. How can you practice trusting God to provide for that need, just as He cares for the birds and flowers? [49:26]
5. How can you use your resources to support ministries and help others, thereby advancing God's kingdom? What specific steps can you take this week to be more generous and charitable? [55:45]
6. Reflect on your daily life. Are there ways in which you are allowing financial stress to overshadow your trust in God? What practical steps can you take to reduce this stress and increase your faith? [49:26]
7. How can you ensure that your life's pursuit is the advancement of God's kingdom rather than the accumulation of wealth? What changes might you need to make in your lifestyle or priorities? [55:45]

Devotional

Day 1: Love Your Enemies
Jesus commands us to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who persecute us. This is one of the hardest teachings to live out, but it is possible through the grace of Jesus Christ. By doing so, we reflect the transformative power of the gospel in our lives. Loving our enemies goes against our natural inclinations, but it is a powerful testimony of God's love and grace. When we choose to love those who have wronged us, we demonstrate the radical nature of Jesus' teachings and the depth of His love for humanity.

This command challenges us to rise above our hurt and anger, and to respond with compassion and forgiveness. It is not about condoning the actions of our enemies, but about choosing to see them through the eyes of Christ. By praying for those who persecute us, we invite God's healing and transformation into their lives and our own. This act of love can break down barriers and bring about reconciliation and peace. [10:46]

Romans 12:20-21 (ESV): "To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Reflection: Think of someone who has wronged you or whom you consider an enemy. How can you show them love and pray for them today?

Day 2: Focus on Eternal Treasures
Earthly treasures are temporary and can be destroyed or stolen, but treasures in heaven are eternal. We store up heavenly treasures by being generous and charitable, reflecting the love and humility of Jesus Christ. Our relationship with God is deeply affected by where we place our treasure, as our hearts follow our investments. Jesus teaches us to prioritize eternal values over material wealth, reminding us that what we treasure reveals the true condition of our hearts.

In a world driven by materialism, it is easy to become consumed with the pursuit of wealth and possessions. However, Jesus calls us to a different standard, one that values generosity, compassion, and selflessness. By investing in the lives of others and supporting God's work, we build a legacy that lasts beyond this life. Our acts of kindness and charity are not just good deeds; they are investments in God's kingdom that yield eternal rewards. [30:58]

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: Consider your current financial priorities. How can you shift your focus from accumulating earthly wealth to storing up treasures in heaven through acts of generosity and charity?

Day 3: Serve God, Not Money
We cannot serve both God and money. Loving money leads to many sorrows and can cause us to stray from our faith. Instead, we must choose to serve God, allowing Him to dictate our decisions and priorities. This choice reflects our true devotion and trust in Him. Jesus warns us about the dangers of materialism and the love of money, which can become a powerful idol in our lives.

When we prioritize money over God, we risk compromising our values and losing sight of our spiritual purpose. Serving God requires a conscious decision to place Him above all else, including our financial ambitions. This means making choices that honor Him, even when they are not financially advantageous. By doing so, we demonstrate our trust in God's provision and our commitment to His kingdom. [42:51]

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: Reflect on your relationship with money. Are there areas where you have allowed the love of money to influence your decisions? How can you realign your priorities to serve God first?

Day 4: Trust God for Provision
Worrying about finances is futile because it does not change our circumstances. God, as a loving Father, knows our needs and will provide for us. Trusting God rather than money allows us to live in peace and confidence, knowing that He cares for us deeply. Jesus encourages us to look at the natural world, where God provides for the birds and flowers, as a reminder of His faithfulness and care for us.

Anxiety about finances can consume our thoughts and rob us of our peace. However, Jesus calls us to a life of trust and dependence on God. By surrendering our financial worries to Him, we acknowledge His sovereignty and goodness. Trusting God for provision means believing that He will meet our needs, even when we cannot see how. It is an invitation to live with a sense of security and assurance, knowing that our Heavenly Father is in control. [49:26]

Matthew 6:25-26 (ESV): "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 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?"

Reflection: What financial worries are you currently facing? How can you practice trusting God to provide for your needs today?

Day 5: Seek God's Kingdom First
Our life's pursuit should be the advancement of God's kingdom and His righteousness, not the accumulation of wealth. By using our resources to support ministries and help others, we focus on the present needs and combat the evils of today. This approach allows us to shine our light and demonstrate the difference Jesus makes in our lives. Jesus calls us to prioritize His kingdom above all else, trusting that when we do, everything else will fall into place.

Seeking God's kingdom first means aligning our goals and actions with His purposes. It involves a shift in perspective, where we view our resources as tools for advancing God's work rather than for personal gain. This mindset leads to a life of generosity, service, and impact. By putting God's kingdom first, we become conduits of His love and grace, making a tangible difference in the world around us. [55:45]

Matthew 6:33-34 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Reflection: How can you prioritize God's kingdom in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to use your resources for His purposes today?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Throughout his sermon, Jesus has demonstrated that we as his followers should be different than the world around us. The way that we treat others, the way that we respond to problems, the way that we live in this world should be different. And as we live differently, we will shine the light of the gospel to an unsaved world around us. They will see that Jesus makes us different. That he makes our lives better." [25:05] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Who doesn't want to live in peace with their neighbor? Who doesn't want to have a committed relationship with their spouse? Who doesn't want to live in love with everyone around us? That is an appealing life to everyone. That's a type of life that we all aspire to. Aspire and desire to have. And that's the type of life that Jesus is offering to his followers and encouraging us to live." [25:40] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "God cares more about our hearts than he does about our bank accounts. God cares more about your heart than what you do with your money. God cares more about your heart than how much you give to the church. He cares more about your heart than how much you save for your personal life. God looks to the heart." [28:55] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "You can't love God and love money at the same time. You can't live for God and live for money at the same time. You have to make a choice. The Bible tells us in 1 Timothy, chapter number six, for the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." [43:33] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We don't need the biggest house. We don't need the nicest car. We don't need the latest version of the cell phone. We're content with what we have. We're not covetous for what we don't have. We act like Jesus Christ and are willing to humble ourselves and lower ourselves for the benefit of other people. We're willing to go without so that other people may have." [37:34] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "We are to love those that hate us. We are to pray for them. That curse us and speak evil about us. That gossip about us at the workplaces. We are to do good to them. To our neighbors that do evil to us. And that cause us problems. And we're to pray for people that do all wrong against us. That use us. That persecute us. That's hard to do. But that's possible through the grace of Jesus Christ in our lives." [10:46] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The treasures of this earth are only temporary. He says in verse number 19, lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth where moth and rust does corrupt and where thieves break through and steal. Treasures are only temporary. Have you ever been to a landfill? I mean, those places are filled with a whole bunch of stuff, with toys, with cars, with shiny objects that people just had to have, but now they are junk." [30:58] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When our spiritual focus becomes less on God and more on finances, things can get a little blurry. They can get a little cloudy in our spiritual walk. And when our focus changes, it affects the rest of our lives. When the eye is clear and it doesn't have any problems and it's focused on the right things, the rest of our life is good. But when we stop focusing on God, things start to get a little cloudy." [41:30] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We must put our trust in God and not money. The unsaved seek after money. It says it in verse 32, but after all these things do the Gentiles seek. But the followers of Jesus should be different. We don't worry about all that other stuff. We trust God. We shouldn't be lumped in with the 70% of other Americans who are stressed about finances. We know God is a good God. We know that God is sovereign, that he's in control." [55:11] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Jesus tells us in this passage that we can shine our light by being different with our finances. We're focused on God, loving God, seeking God, trusting God, not money. We're not worried about tomorrow and planning our lives around our retirement. We see the evil that is in our world today and therefore, we use our resources to advance God's kingdom." [59:19] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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