True Treasure: Generosity Over Wealth and Illusion
Summary
Treasure is something we all chase, whether it’s a childhood toy, a phone, or even the way we care for our families. But what we treasure reveals what we value most, and often, we don’t realize how much power these things have over us until they slip through our fingers. Money, in particular, is a close estimation of our treasure, not because it’s valuable in itself, but because it’s the means by which we pursue what we desire. Yet, the pursuit of money and the things it can buy is fraught with frustration, uncertainty, and ultimately, disappointment. No matter how much we accumulate, it never truly secures us—wealth is a wall we imagine to be unscalable, but it’s an illusion.
Proverbs teaches that wealth can provide some security, but it’s a false security. It cannot protect us from the deepest vulnerabilities of life, especially death. The real danger is that money deceives us, making us think we are wise and self-sufficient. In reality, most of us are far richer than we realize, and the warnings in Scripture about the rich apply to us. The pride and self-deception that come with wealth can choke out spiritual growth, just as Jesus warned in the parable of the sower. That’s why it’s so important to regularly examine what we treasure, to pray over our desires, and to invite God to protect us from loving anything more than Him.
The biblical answer to the power and deception of money is generosity. True treasure, according to Proverbs, is wisdom—ultimately found in Christ, who is the wisdom of God. The early Christian community was marked by radical generosity, care for the poor, a multi-ethnic embrace, a high view of life, a strict sexual ethic, and a spirit of forgiveness. These are costly commitments, but they are the marks of a community shaped by the grace of God. Christ Himself left the riches of heaven to become poor for our sake, so that we might become rich in Him. This grace not only frees us from the tyranny of lesser treasures but also empowers us to become a generous, distinct community that reflects God’s heart to the world.
Key Takeaways
- What we treasure shapes our lives, but often we don’t realize how much power our desires have over us until we lose what we value. The things we chase—possessions, comfort, even relationships—can become false securities that distract us from what truly matters. Regularly examining and praying over our desires helps us keep our hearts aligned with God’s purposes. [03:34]
- Wealth offers the illusion of protection and control, but it is ultimately limited and fleeting. Proverbs warns that trusting in riches is like building a wall that cannot truly keep out life’s deepest threats. True security is found not in what we possess, but in the God who holds our lives and our futures. [10:05]
- The deception of money is subtle: it convinces us that we are wise and self-sufficient, blinding us to our dependence on God and our need for community. Jesus warns that the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of wealth can choke out spiritual growth, making it even more important to be honest and accountable about how we use our resources. [14:48]
- Generosity is the biblical antidote to the power and deception of money. The early church was marked by radical giving, care for the poor, and a willingness to welcome those who could offer nothing in return. True wealth is found in wisdom, in Christ Himself, and in a life poured out for others. [18:16]
- The grace of God is the foundation and motivation for a generous life. Christ became poor so that we might become rich in Him, and His love frees us from fear, pride, and the need to cling to lesser treasures. As we receive His grace, we are empowered to become a community known for generosity, forgiveness, and sacrificial love. [31:24]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:47] - Losing My Phone: The Power of Treasure
[03:34] - What We Treasure and Why
[05:19] - The Frustration of Chasing Treasure
[07:40] - The Elusiveness of Wealth and Security
[08:35] - Proverbs on Money as Power
[10:05] - The False Security of Wealth
[11:15] - Practical Steps: Auditing Our Desires
[12:47] - The Deception of Money
[14:48] - The Rich, the Poor, and Spiritual Blindness
[16:11] - Honest Conversations About Money
[18:16] - Generosity: The True Treasure
[19:26] - Five Distinctions of Early Christians
[23:18] - Forgiveness and the Power of Grace
[25:32] - Outspending the World for God’s Purposes
[28:04] - Treasures in Heaven and the Danger of To-Do Lists
[29:56] - The Beauty and Wisdom of God
[31:24] - Christ’s Generosity and Our Response
[32:51] - Prayer for Generosity and Grace
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: “What We Treasure”
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### Bible Reading
Proverbs 18:11 (ESV)
> The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
Proverbs 28:11 (ESV)
> A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.
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.”
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Proverbs 18:11, what do the rich imagine about their wealth? What does the verse say about the reality of that security?
2. In Proverbs 28:11, how does the perspective of the rich differ from that of the poor who has understanding?
3. In Matthew 6:19-21, what does Jesus say about where we should store our treasures, and why?
4. The sermon described how losing a phone or a childhood toy revealed what was truly valued. What did these stories show about the power of treasure in our lives? [01:47]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think wealth can feel like a “fortified city” or an unscalable wall, even though it can’t actually protect us from life’s deepest vulnerabilities? [10:05]
2. The sermon said that most of us are “far richer than we realize” and that the Bible’s warnings to the rich apply to us. What are some ways pride and self-deception can show up in our own lives, even if we don’t consider ourselves wealthy? [12:47]
3. Jesus warns that “the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of wealth” can choke out spiritual growth (Mark 4, alluded to in [14:48]). What might this look like in a modern context?
4. The sermon described the early church as marked by radical generosity, care for the poor, and forgiveness. Why do you think these qualities are so closely tied to the gospel and to true treasure? [19:26]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon encouraged us to “regularly examine what we treasure” and to pray over our desires. What is one thing you currently treasure that might have more power over you than you realized? How could you bring this to God in prayer this week? [11:15]
2. Have you ever experienced the “false security” of wealth or possessions—thinking something would make you feel safe or satisfied, only to be disappointed? What happened, and what did you learn from it? [10:05]
3. The sermon suggested writing down what you want most and praying, “God, please protect me from wanting this more than anything.” Would you be willing to try this exercise? What do you think you might discover about your heart? [11:15]
4. The early Christians were known for their generosity, care for the poor, and forgiveness. Which of these do you find most challenging to live out, and why? What is one small step you could take this month to grow in that area? [19:26]
5. The sermon talked about having honest conversations about money and giving. Is there someone you trust that you could talk to about your spending or giving habits? What would it look like to invite accountability in this area? [16:11]
6. Christ “left the riches of heaven to become poor for our sake.” How does reflecting on Jesus’ generosity change your perspective on your own resources and what you’re willing to give? [31:24]
7. The sermon asked, “Are we willing to outspend Satan in pursuit of these goals to be the type of community that Jesus wants us to be?” What is one way our group or church could become more known for generosity, forgiveness, or sacrificial love in our community? [25:32]
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Close in prayer, asking God to help you treasure Him above all else and to empower you to live generously and distinctively as a community shaped by His grace.
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