Matthew 6 v 19 – 24
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 cannot serve God and money. (ESV)
People lose their consciences when there is money to be got.
What is your treasure? Where is your heart?
- Our Fortune.
Where our fortune ought not to be – on earth.
We must be good stewards of our talents, time and treasure.
But the Lord says we must not lay up for ourselves treasures upon earth.
He wants us to use our treasure for God’s glory.
Things that are precious for you on earth will have your heart (everything about you).
The things of earth lose their glory. Why do you want to give your heart to it? - Our Focus.
Your eye is the lamp of the body. Without clarity of vision you walk in darkness. If you follow people who are walking in darkness, then you have the blind leading the blind.
You need to focus – keep your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith.
We need a clear focus on our Lord and Saviour, not ourselves. - Our Father.
It’s impossible to serve two masters. Jesus is referring to the one who is in control of your life. Your god is whatever and whomever you serve. You can say you serve God the Father, but your life may show that you are serving another master – especially the ‘god’ of self.
We cannot serve God and mammon. The choice is between God and money.
What do you want: money or God? You cannot serve both.
Calvin said to us: “Where riches hold the dominion of the heart, God has lost His authority.”
Martin Luther: “There are three conversions necessary – the conversion of the heart, the conversion of the mind and the conversion of the purse.”
Where is you heart? Who do you serve? Who is your master?
Money does talk. When it does – what does it say about you?