In Matthew 6:19-24, Jesus challenges the hearts of his followers by telling them to store up treasures in heaven as opposed to earth. One thing we can learn from the current economic crisis is that earthly treasure is at best fleeting. Our society has been so prone to only meeting the temporary desires of our flesh. Temporary includes those investments which will outlive us on this earth. No amount of money or possessions will survive, so these things should never be the end of our thinking.
Much of what Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount should lead us to a total perspective change. We think temporal; Jesus calls us to think eternal. So all of our lives, including our financial well-being, should be brought under the lordship of Christ. We should make and spend and save money with a heavenly perspective (In the same way we should eat and drink with a heavenly perspective - 1 Corinthians 10:31).
So, our motives are called into question as much as our actions. Why do we spend the money we do? Why do we save? Do we spend thinking of the kingdom of God or for personal gain? I do not believe that God necessarilly calls everyone to poverty. The Bible contains considerable wisdom on financial decisions. The question we must ask ourselves is: "Who is my master?" For:
"No one can serve to masters, for either he will hate the one and love the othere, or he will be devoted to the one and despose the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (v. 24).
Do we serve God and store up treasures in heaven that are eternal, or do we serve money and devour temporary things?
1. How different would the Church look if we really followed Jesus' teaching here?
2. How different would you be?
Peace,
Jeff Moody
jeffmoody82@gmail.com
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