Bible Sudy - Possessions - Where Is Your Heart? Matthew 6- June 12, 2011

Bible Study – Possessions – Where Is Your Treasure? – June 12, 2011
This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Putting Possessions in Prospective.”
Our scripture is Matthew 6:19-34.
Where is your treasure? My wife and I were in Brussels Belgium on September 11, 2001. Our son and daughter-in-law worked near the Pentagon. Our other three (3) children and their families were in different locations in the United States. We were concerned for their safety as well. We did not know what would happen next. The stock market was tanking. What was of value? It was not the money disappearing but the safety of our son and daughter-in-law in Washington, DC and our other children and their families. It was the death of those poor souls in New York, Pennsylvania and the Pentagon. It was the future of our nation. It was who planned such an attack and what else might be coming. Many questions ran through our minds.

We may amass a great fortune but when we die, we take nothing with us. There are no U-Hauls behind the hearse. But those who have been obedient to GOD through CHRIST will have treasure waiting for them in the heavenly treasury. Our scripture focuses on what JESUS taught regarding true treasure. JESUS had begun HIS earthly ministry. HE had taught the “Sermon On the Mount.”

Let’s read Matthew 6:19-21:

God and Possessions – JESUS Was Teaching.
19 “Don’t collect for yourselves treasures[14]on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where
thieves break in and steal. 20 But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

JESUS made it clear that true value was not in how much money or stuff we have while we are upon earth. JESUS was in essence saying, “Do not treasure the material things you have because bad things can happen to them- moths eat clothes, rust destroys metals and if none of that happens, thieves can steal them. Nothing in this life is safe but there is a safe place where you can store them, heaven.” JESUS was making the point that having things are not wrong. It is wrong when we allow them to take the place of obediently serving GOD. The Bible is clear that money is not the root of all evil but it is the “love” of money that is the problem. Where is our heart regarding stuff? It is okay to have stuff but what place does the stuff we have rank in importance to Spiritual matters?

The Jews believed that those who had material possessions were blessed by GOD. The more stuff a person had, the more GOD had blessed him/her. Blessings do come from GOD. HE gives material blessings but with these material blessings comes responsibility and accountability to HIM. It is vital that the blessings from GOD are not misinterpreted – because I have, I am doing the LORD’S will. Are you? Are you in right relationship with HIM? Does HE lead and direct your life, through the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT?

JESUS made it clear that what you treasure is where your heart is. GOD made earth in all of its majesty and said it was good. But GOD did not tell us to worship earth. In fact, HE is very clear that humans are not to make any image of HIM using the things HE created. HE wants our hearts to be pure before HIM and HIS desire is for us to store treasure where it is safe and secure in heaven. So how do we acquire heavenly wealth?

First, we must have the right relationship with GOD through JESUS CHRIST. We must ask CHRIST to forgive us for our sins believing that CHRIST gave HIS life to pay the penalty for sin. CHRIST conquered sin and the consequences of sin which is death. When a person becomes a Christian he or she is born into the family of GOD and his/her citizenship is in heaven. In essence, an account is opened at the moment of salvation in the heavenly treasury, the Bank of Heaven, secured by the blood of JESUS and the power of GOD.

As Christians obediently serve GOD, HE leads them to the things HE desires for them to do according to HIS plan and purpose. As Christians obediently respond, they earn heavenly rewards. When we go to foreign countries that have a different currency than we do, we have to exchange our money into their money. When we are obedient to GOD, HE exchanges our acts of obedience into heavenly currency. HE alone controls the exchange rate.

Let’s read Matthew 6:22-24:
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light within you is darkness—how deep is that darkness! 24 “No one can be a slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot be slaves of God and of money.

What is in your heart? The Apostle Paul speaks of the eyes of your heart in Ephesians 1:18-19 – “18 [I pray]* that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.” The eye picks up images of light and quickly discerns and communicates with the heart to determine action. The action taken depends upon the motives of the heart. The heart is the will of the soul. JESUS was speaking of a person’s heart condition. How do the eyes of our heart view the things that we have? If our heart is in right relationship with GOD we view them one way and if not we view them another way.

When the Bible refers to light it usually is referring to the HOLY SPIRIT. Thus, when a Christian is in right relationship with GOD his/her eye is sound or healthy and the Christian obediently functions in accordance to the will of the FATHER. If his/her heart is sick then he/she is Spiritually sick and is filled with darkness. Are you filled with light or darkness? If you are filled with darkness, how deep is that darkness? A Christian can have different levels of darkness.
Light guides us through the dark. In Spiritually dark times, Christians must seek the light and rekindle the fire of their hearts so they can travel a safe path back to the right relationship with GOD through CHRIST.

How Christians view their material possessions can reveal their Spiritual health. JESUS put it well when HE said, “No one can be a slave to two masters.” Christians choose to use the things GOD provides to serve materialism or HIM during their time upon earth. No one will take material possessions with him or her when they leave this earthly life.
The secret is for Christians to obediently serve GOD by yielding their lives to GOD and allowing HIM to direct what they do with the possessions they have. When our eye is not healthy, we will make decisions that appeal to our flesh. When we try to hold on to our wealth, it compromises how that wealth is used. I can tell you this is an area I struggle with. We have obligations and goals for our lives such as leaving stuff for our family when we exit earth. The Bible is clear. We are to consider what we will leave for our family. But the real question is “How much is enough?” This is the subject of new week’s study.

JESUS said it correctly, “We cannot be slaves of GOD and money.” The words JESUS used carry the idea of total loyalty to each master. It is impossible for a person to completely be loyal to two masters. Keep in mind making money is not wrong. Wealth in itself is good but how it is used is critical. When we are in right relationship with GOD, we will use it correctly. If not, we will misuse it.
So what do we do? We ask GOD to search our hearts and reveal what is in our hearts, then act accordingly.

Let’s read Matthew 6:25-34:
The Cure for Anxiety
25 “This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the sky: they don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? 27 Can any of you add a single • cubit to his height[15]by worrying? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow: they don’t labor or spin thread. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these! 30 If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t He do much more for you—you of little faith? 31 So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For the idolaters[16]eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God[17]and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. 34 Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

It is natural to be concerned about what you eat and wear. Food, clothing and shelter are the basic needs of mankind. Notice a key word in verse 25, “worry.” Worrying does not solve the problem. It is trusting GOD and seeking a solution.

JESUS had just stated that a person cannot serve two masters – GOD and Satan. Who do you depend upon when you are faced with survival? JESUS expects a person to be active in providing the things that will sustain him or her. As a person does his/her part, GOD does HIS part. JESUS expanded on HIS message.

JESUS used lessons from life. Who is more important for GOD to take care of – animals, flowers or mankind who HE created? Since GOD takes care of the birds of the air, aren’t you worth more than birds? This begs a positive response – Yes.

JESUS, posses another question, “Can a person grow taller or add time to his/her life upon earth?” The answer is no. In essence HE was saying, “Do what you can do and GOD does what you cannot do.” The idea was worry will not provide for your basic needs.

JESUS said, Look around you and consider the wildflowers. Look at their beauty. They have purpose. They are beautiful but exist for a short while before they become fuel for the oven to cook the food you will consume.

A person is of greater value to GOD than wildflowers, therefore, why do you worry? GOD provides your needs because you are of great value. You were of such great value that CHRIST considered you worthy enough to give HIS life for you.

We must consider what we need versus what we want. What we need is a loving, intimate relationship with GOD through CHRIST. Having stuff can interfere with that if we give priority to stuff over CHRIST.

Those who do not know GOD seek stuff. GOD cares for those who have committed their lives to HIM, through CHRIST both Spiritually and physically. The secret for GOD’S care is for HIS children to have the right relationship with HIM. HE knows what people need because GOD made them. The most important matter is for Christians to seek first the Kingdom of GOD and HIS righteousness and all the very things you desire will be provided. Why does JESUS tell us to seek first the Kingdom of GOD?

Throughout the day many things vie for our attention. There are material things, physical things, things we desire and Spiritual things. Something will occupy our minds. The thing or things we desire will occupy our minds. JESUS tells us to let Spiritual matters take priority and fill our minds. What would JESUS DO? HE mingled with the people and HE had a social life. But HE was always open to the leading of GOD to minister. Where is our heart? What is our desire? Most Christians desire to obediently serve GOD as led by the HOLY SPIRIT. I believe it is all about having the right relationship with GOD through CHRIST.

We must keep in mind that GOD will not give HIS children something that will harm them, physically or Spiritually. So often, we try to bargain with GOD. We either say or hide in our hearts the idea of, “If YOU will do so-and-so, I will do so-and-so.” It boils down to what is in our hearts. What is our motive? Do we serve GOD to be able to get what we want? Or do we serve GOD without any hidden motives and out of pure hearts of obedience realizing that all we are and all we have comes from HIM? Can we add an inch to our stature? Will worry solve our problems and concerns? The answer is no. But GOD can solve problems, bring comfort, give direction and provide our needs. Not necessarily our wants but our needs.

JESUS told HIS listeners to take each day as it comes. HIS listeners were to do their part by focusing on their relationship with GOD and doing what they can do as GOD leads and directs their lives. They were to take each day as it comes and not worry about tomorrow. HE did not say, “Sit upon your hands and do nothing.” The Bible is clear that we are to plan and work toward a goal but as GOD leads. Planning and organizing are vital but worrying is wrong.

Seek first your relationship with GOD through CHRIST. Allow HIM to direct your life and allow HIM to exchange your obedient service into heavenly currency where moth does not eat, nor rust destroys or thieves steal. Giving our tithe is good but GOD desires more than our money. HE desires our hearts to be filled with HIS marvelous light. Ask HIM to search your heart and reveal anything that prevents you from obediently serving HIM and having an intimate, loving relationship with HIM. Blessings!