Transforming Hearts: Jesus' Teachings on Money and Discipleship
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into what Jesus said about money, a topic He addressed more frequently than any other. Jesus' teachings on money are not just about financial management but about the heart's posture towards wealth and possessions. We explored Matthew 6:19-21, where Jesus instructs us not to store up treasures on earth but to store up treasures in heaven. This passage emphasizes that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. Jesus warns against the deceitfulness of riches, which can promise what only God can truly provide—love, joy, and peace.
We also examined the concept of "mammon," an Aramaic term that encompasses not just money but anything we place our trust in. Jesus makes it clear that we cannot serve both God and mammon. The spirit of mammon tries to take God's place in our lives, offering counterfeit solutions to our deepest needs. Jesus' parable of the unrighteous steward in Luke 16 further illustrates the importance of using worldly wealth to gain eternal friends, emphasizing that our resources are not our own but are entrusted to us by God for His purposes.
The story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-22 serves as a poignant reminder that following Jesus requires total surrender, including our financial security. Jesus challenges us to imagine life without the safety net of money, asking if He alone is enough for us. This radical call to discipleship is echoed in the lives of missionaries like James Calvert and Jim Elliott, who gave up everything to follow Christ.
Finally, we looked at the transformation of Zacchaeus in Luke 19. His encounter with Jesus led him to give away half of his possessions and repay those he had defrauded fourfold. This act of generosity was a response to the salvation he received, not a prerequisite for it. Zacchaeus' story illustrates that a changed life is the fruit of salvation, not the cause.
### Key Takeaways
1. Jesus' View on Money: Jesus spoke more about money than any other topic, emphasizing that our relationship with wealth reveals the condition of our hearts. He taught that we should not store up treasures on earth but in heaven, where they are secure and eternal. This perspective shifts our focus from accumulating wealth to investing in eternal values. [36:44]
2. The Deceitfulness of Mammon: Mammon, an Aramaic term for wealth and possessions, can easily become an idol in our lives. It promises what only God can provide—love, joy, and peace—but delivers only counterfeit versions. Jesus warns that we cannot serve both God and mammon, urging us to place our trust solely in Him. [41:52]
3. Stewardship Over Ownership: The parable of the unrighteous steward teaches us that our resources are not our own but are entrusted to us by God. We are called to use these resources for eternal purposes, not just for temporary gains. This mindset helps us break free from the grip of materialism and align our financial decisions with God's kingdom. [50:58]
4. Total Surrender: The story of the rich young ruler challenges us to imagine life without financial security and to consider if Jesus alone is enough for us. True discipleship requires total surrender, including our finances. This radical call to follow Jesus means that we must be willing to give up everything for His sake. [59:04]
5. Transformation Through Encounter: Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus led to a radical transformation in his life, evidenced by his willingness to give away half of his possessions and repay those he had defrauded. This story illustrates that a changed life is the fruit of salvation, not the cause. When we truly meet Jesus, our priorities and actions reflect His values. [01:11:37]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[36:44] - Introduction to Jesus' Teachings on Money
[37:40] - The Importance of a Jesus View of Money
[38:39] - Giving Without Manipulation
[40:00] - Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:19-24
[41:52] - Understanding Mammon
[43:16] - The Deceitfulness of Wealth
[44:33] - Misconceptions About Money Solving Problems
[46:04] - Jesus' Practical Use of Money
[47:57] - Stewardship and Eternal Purposes
[49:31] - Storing Up Treasures in Heaven
[50:58] - Parable of the Unrighteous Steward
[52:34] - Managing God's Resources
[54:35] - Using Wealth for Eternal Gains
[56:10] - The Eternal Impact of Generosity
[57:48] - Total Surrender and Discipleship
[59:04] - The Rich Young Ruler
[01:02:19] - The Cost of Following Jesus
[01:07:14] - Zacchaeus' Transformation
[01:11:37] - The Fruit of Salvation
[01:15:12] - Being Good Stewards
[01:17:03] - Offering Our Resources to God
[01:18:35] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV): "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
2. Luke 16:1-13 (NIV): The Parable of the Unrighteous Steward.
3. Luke 19:1-10 (NIV): The Story of Zacchaeus.
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean by "treasures in heaven" in Matthew 6:19-21? How does this contrast with "treasures on earth"? [40:33]
2. In the parable of the unrighteous steward (Luke 16:1-13), what actions did the steward take to secure his future? [50:58]
3. How did Zacchaeus respond to his encounter with Jesus, and what actions did he take as a result? [01:11:37]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the term "mammon," and how does it relate to our trust in God? [41:52]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth? How does this teaching challenge our current cultural values? [40:33]
2. What lessons can we learn from the unrighteous steward about the use of worldly wealth for eternal purposes? How does this parable challenge our understanding of stewardship? [50:58]
3. How does the story of Zacchaeus illustrate the transformative power of an encounter with Jesus? What does his response teach us about the relationship between salvation and generosity? [01:11:37]
4. How does the concept of "mammon" as described in the sermon help us understand the potential dangers of wealth and possessions? How can we guard against these dangers in our own lives? [41:52]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Where is your treasure? Are you more focused on accumulating wealth on earth or investing in eternal values? How can you shift your focus towards storing up treasures in heaven? [40:33]
2. The sermon mentioned that our resources are not our own but are entrusted to us by God. How can you practice better stewardship of your finances and possessions in a way that aligns with God's purposes? [50:58]
3. Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus led to a radical transformation in his life. Have you experienced a similar transformation in any area of your life? How did it change your priorities and actions? [01:11:37]
4. Jesus challenges us to imagine life without financial security and to consider if He alone is enough for us. How does this challenge your current sense of security and trust in God? What steps can you take to deepen your trust in Him? [59:04]
5. The sermon highlighted the deceitfulness of mammon and its counterfeit promises. Identify one area in your life where you might be placing your trust in wealth or possessions instead of God. What practical steps can you take to shift your trust back to God? [41:52]
6. Reflect on the story of the rich young ruler. What is one thing you might be holding onto that prevents you from fully surrendering to Jesus? How can you take a step towards letting go of that today? [59:04]
7. The sermon mentioned the example of missionaries like James Calvert and Jim Elliott, who gave up everything to follow Christ. How does their example inspire you to live a life of total surrender and radical discipleship? What is one specific action you can take this week to follow their example? [01:05:23]
Devotional
### Day 1: The Heart's True Treasure
Description: Jesus spoke more about money than any other topic, emphasizing that our relationship with wealth reveals the condition of our hearts. He taught that we should not store up treasures on earth but in heaven, where they are secure and eternal. This perspective shifts our focus from accumulating wealth to investing in eternal values. Jesus' words in Matthew 6:19-21 remind us that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. This teaching challenges us to evaluate what we truly value and to align our priorities with God's kingdom. [36:44]
Bible Passage: "Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven." — Proverbs 23:4-5 (ESV)
Reflection: What are the "treasures" in your life that you find yourself most attached to? How can you begin to shift your focus from these earthly treasures to investing in eternal values today?
### Day 2: The Deceitfulness of Mammon
Description: Mammon, an Aramaic term for wealth and possessions, can easily become an idol in our lives. It promises what only God can provide—love, joy, and peace—but delivers only counterfeit versions. Jesus warns that we cannot serve both God and mammon, urging us to place our trust solely in Him. The spirit of mammon tries to take God's place in our lives, offering counterfeit solutions to our deepest needs. Understanding this helps us to recognize the false promises of wealth and to seek fulfillment in God alone. [41:52]
Bible Passage: "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." — 1 Timothy 6:10 (ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you seen the deceitfulness of wealth in your own life? How can you actively place your trust in God rather than in material possessions today?
### Day 3: Stewardship Over Ownership
Description: The parable of the unrighteous steward teaches us that our resources are not our own but are entrusted to us by God. We are called to use these resources for eternal purposes, not just for temporary gains. This mindset helps us break free from the grip of materialism and align our financial decisions with God's kingdom. By viewing ourselves as stewards rather than owners, we can better manage God's resources in a way that honors Him and furthers His purposes. [50:58]
Bible Passage: "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ." — 1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV)
Reflection: How can you begin to see your financial resources as something entrusted to you by God? What is one practical step you can take today to use your resources for eternal purposes?
### Day 4: Total Surrender
Description: The story of the rich young ruler challenges us to imagine life without financial security and to consider if Jesus alone is enough for us. True discipleship requires total surrender, including our finances. This radical call to follow Jesus means that we must be willing to give up everything for His sake. The rich young ruler's encounter with Jesus in Matthew 19:16-22 serves as a poignant reminder that following Jesus requires total surrender, including our financial security. [59:04]
Bible Passage: "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'" — Luke 9:23-24 (ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
### Day 5: Transformation Through Encounter
Description: Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus led to a radical transformation in his life, evidenced by his willingness to give away half of his possessions and repay those he had defrauded. This story illustrates that a changed life is the fruit of salvation, not the cause. When we truly meet Jesus, our priorities and actions reflect His values. Zacchaeus' story in Luke 19 shows that a genuine encounter with Jesus results in a transformed life, marked by generosity and restitution. [01:11:37]
Bible Passage: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Reflection: How has your encounter with Jesus transformed your priorities and actions? What is one specific way you can demonstrate this transformation through generosity or restitution today?
Quotes
1. "Never give out of manipulation. Never give out of... Never give out of guilt. Never give out of shame. Never give out of fear of reprisal from God. That if I don't pay my tithes, I'm going to have a flat on the way home. Because I do not believe God works that way. If he did, we would be in big trouble. Because our debt is so great. But it's been paid by Christ. So when we give, we're not paying back. If we were, we'd never pay. We'll never pay back. We will never pay back. But we want to discover that joy." [38:39] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Mammon promises to give you what only God can give you, because only God can give you love, joy, and peace. Mammon will try to give you counterfeits of those things, but it cannot give you those things. Mammon talks to... And says, because if you have the right credit card, you know, you can't just have an old plastic card. It needs to be gold or silver or platinum or some kind of special color, you know, so that it gives you privileges. So, if you have the right credit card, you know, membership has its privileges." [42:32] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus never told anyone that the answer to their problem was money. And people came to him with all kinds of problems. He never said, well, what you need is more money. Did you know that 78% of NFL players find themselves bankrupt within two years of retirement? 80% of NBA players... Actually, you could just say this. 80% of all professional sports players, 80% of all professional sports are bankrupt three years after leaving the sport. Baseball, everybody. Nearly half of all lottery winners spend their entire winnings within five years." [44:33] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So what's he saying? What's he saying? He's saying, use money, have money, but don't worship money. Which is what we have a tendency to do. Don't put your trust and hope in what Jesus does. Hope, and money. Because the goal of life is not to get more money, which is the goal of the world system. That's the goal. This is the line that's drawn between us and the world system. The world system says, get more money. That's the goal of your life, is to get more money. The goal of our life, according to Jesus, is not to store up treasures for ourselves on earth, but instead to store up treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, that's where your heart will be also." [48:36] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So Jesus says in the same way, use, money you have, that's not yours. This is one of the points he's making your money is not your money. you. That was really quiet. It was like, nobody's saying anything like who's money. Well, whose money is it? It's God's everything. He's given us everything. We have our life, our money, every possession that we have is something that we are managers, not owners of. We don't own it. We're managers of it. And the goal of it is that we want to use our money, not for temporary purposes, but for eternal purposes." [54:35] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "So Jesus is saying, use money. That's not, use money. That is your master's money that you're a steward over. It's not your money. Use money. That is, we would say God's money, but got the money that God has given you, the life that God has given you, the resources that God has given you use that money as a steward, a manager to accomplish eternal things, eternal things. Jesus said, that's the most important thing. So what, what this is saying is that when you and I get to heaven, we're going to be greeted by people who are in heaven because of the money that we gave. That's what Jesus is saying. He's saying so that they will receive you into the eternal dwellings." [56:10] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "None of what we have, this is a biblical principle in Christ that we have to get a hold of. None of what we have, our life or our money that we have is ours. If we are in Christ, it belongs to God. And we're not owners of anything that we have. We are managers and stewards of what has been given to us for a season. First Corinthians 6, 19. It's real clear. Don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you and whom you have from God and that you're not your own for you've been bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body." [57:48] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "There are no fans. Just followers. And we'll all do it imperfectly. We'll all struggle. But that's the call. The call is to die daily, to give ourselves totally and completely and fully. And then money just becomes this extra thing on the side. It's not the driving force of our life. But if we live by the dictates of our culture and the world system, money will be our driver. When God wants God's plan, it's for Jesus to be the purpose and the reason." [01:02:19] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "So Jesus wants to help us conquer greed. How do we conquer this greed? This, this pervasive mammon of our world system. We're just, we're just bathed in it. We're just, we're just getting hit by, by it all the time. It's just, we're, we're constantly being sold. We're constantly being marketed. We're, we're constantly being pushed to buy and purchase and have and need and obtain. It's just this ongoing thing. This, this spirit of the age, this spirit of mammon, that your life is better if you have the right possessions, if you know the right people, it's all about those things. And so how do we resist the spirit of the age? We have to come to Jesus in such a way that it helps us." [01:07:14] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And how this applies to money is that there's this thing about us recognizing that our money's his too. It's ours to manage. It's not ours to possess. It's not ours to control. It's ours to use for his glory. Just like every other area of our life. He wants us to be managers on his behalf. And he might, he might say to you, I want you to sell all and give it to me and invest it in the kingdom of God. He might say that to you. And if he does, you better do it. And for some of us, he might call us to give a testimony that will cost us our job, or it may cost us our life." [01:15:12] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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