Scripture:
Matthew 6:19, 21-24 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. [22] “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light [23], but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! [24] “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You can not serve God and money.
Observation:
For some reason, the Holy Spirit has brought me back to the sermon on the mound. It’s really no surprise, though. This portion of scripture is full of principles that will help us navigate through life. Right here in chapter 6:21-24, Jesus is bringing out the point that it does matter what you live for and chase after. The first thing HE says in these verses brings to light your bank account and where it is. HE tells us that an earthly account amounts to rust waste and an opportunity for someone to steal it. HE quickly ties your heart to where you store your treasure. When we are concerned with the things of this earth, such as money, cars, houses, and so on, our hearts are set on the wrong things. However, when our hearts are set on kingdom, things our treasure is being stored in the heavenly realm. No one can take them, rust can’t destroy them, and therefore, they will have an eternal impact and are a great indication of where our hearts are tied to. Verse 22 seems to change gears if you’re not paying attention. However, if your eyes are focused on the kingdom, you are able to see that all this ties together. What Jesus is telling us is what we give our attention to, or what we tolerate will dominate. In other words, our perspective matters. Focusing on the goodness of our Father brings the light of heaven into our lives. But if we focus on the evil in the world, evil will be most prevalent. It’s all about the master and how you see HIM HE is either in control or HE is not. The last verse is very clear. It’s one or the other. Jesus is telling us there is room in our lives for only one master… that master is going to be HIM or not.
Application:
What holds our hearts control us. It makes our decisions for us and honestly calls the shots. It’s our master. What we hold tightly to, whether it be a pet sin, that is just hard to let go of or storing up big bank accounts. If it controls our actions and steals our focus away from GOD, it needs to go. I’m not just coming against money or having it because in and of it’s it’s not bad… but the focus we give it can take our attention away from the one that provides it. Thinking back on my wrestling career, I can see how it became my master it was all I thought of, and every waking moment I was consumed by the lure of success in that profession. The push to get better and the money it provided. Wrestling was my master. In the middle of a promising wrestling career, my heavenly Father revealed HIMSELF to me took my focus away from the god of this world, and made HIMSELF my master. All I want in life is to serve HIM and HIM alone. I have heard it said…that a person can be so heavenly-minded that they are no earthly good. But I’m just not sure that’s possible. I believe if you are willing to trust GOD with everything that is in you, HE will exalt you. It’s all HIS anyway… and you just can’t out-give the one who gave it all. My life is not my own, and the money HE allows me to use belongs to HIM. The bottom line is what you worship controls you. If you are worried about how much money you have, it will have a grip on your life and your actions. But if you release everything to the Father, HE will make sure we are never in need. That makes the question… Do you trust HIM, or do you trust yourself? I can tell you this. Every time, I thought I could do it. I found myself in a wreck. But when I released my life to HIS care and control, HE has never left me lacking. Do you worship HIM? If so, give HIM complete control of everything, including your money. Give when HE says give and give the amount HE tells you and watch HIM fill your barns to overflowing. Don’t give to get just give period. I promise you will not be disappointed when HE becomes the center of your focus and your point of worship.
Prayer:
Father, we want our hearts set on you. Help us to be in your presence and relinquish any control. This life that you have given us to be stewards truly belongs to you. We may plan our path, but you guide our steps. We want our lives to be all about you. We want everything we say and do to be a reflection of you being our point of worship. You gave everything for us, and we can never repay that. However, we want to give you everything as well. Be our master help us to see you in everything. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray, amen.