Sunday, April 15, 2011
THE CHRISTIAN AND MONEY
(4)
Where is Your Treasure?
In Matt. 6:24
Jesus said, “You CANNOT serve God and mammon.”
That is the foundation of our study.
In our study thus far we have examined the danger of materialism
and addressed the importance of stewardship (with a realization that
everything actually belongs to God and we are just servants entrusted
with a portion of His goods).
In our lesson today we want to visit another saying of Jesus that
presents a principle that will govern our attitude toward and how we use
money and things in this life.
The text is Matt. 6:19-21 where Jesus tells us to lay for
ourselves treasure in heaven rather than on the earth.
Then He said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will
also be.” Today, let us take
a few moments to talk about laying up for ourselves treasure in heaven.
a.
Let us take a few
moments to discuss what heaven will be like.
But in reality it is a place that is very difficult to describe.
b.
Heaven briefly described
–
i.
What is heaven like?
A place of immense beauty that is beyond anything that we can
comprehend. It is a heavenly
city with foundations (Heb. 11:16) and described as “new heavens and a
new earth.” (2 Pet. 3:13) In
the book of Hebrews it is where the TRUE tabernacle of God is (Heb.
9:11-15, 23-25). Heb.
12:22-23 says, “But you have come to Mt. Zion and to the city of the
living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,
to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered
in heaven…”
Where God is present –
the glory of God. In both
Ezekiel and Revelation, the authors struggle to give scenes of heaven
and the throne of God. They
are as difficult to comprehend, as it was to describe.
Throughout Revelation you read
of the throne in heaven. In
Rev. 21 you have a description of the New Jerusalem coming down out of
heaven (note: While it might not be heaven itself, it IS descriptive of
the type of beauty you will find there.).
But the point is clear – Heaven in a wonderful place that is
beyond anything we can imagine. Based upon this description, call it
“the emerald city” with foundation and walls comprised of rare and
precious jewels. When we sing of streets of gold, the beauty of heaven,
Paradise, it is from this text.
A place of rest – Rev.
14:13 speaks of the rest of those who die in the Lord.
Heb. 4:9-11 speaks of “the
Sabbath rest that remains.”
I find this to be one of the most appealing descriptions of heaven.
There shall be no night
there – Rev. 21:23, 22:5 as it is illuminated by the Lord God Himself.
From its midst, the rive
of the waters of life flows (Rev. 22:1, Psa. 46:4)
and we find the tree of life which was removed from the Garden of
Eden after man sinned (Gen. 3:22-23, Rev. 2:7,22:2)
Nothing unclean or
abominable will be there – Rev. 21:27, 1 Cor. 6:9-10
ii.
What will we be like
there? While we are not sure
what we will be like, the “hints” describe it as something grand.
No tears, sickness, death (Rev. 21:4).
We will have an incorruptible body (1 Cor. 15:50-53).
And as John said, “It has
not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is
revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1
John 3:2).
iii.
Much more speculation
could be made about what heaven will be like and what we will be like.
With our feeble minds and limited knowledge whatever description
we conjure up will be far inadequate compared to what it will actually
be like. But it is something
we ought to think about often – as we sing songs like, “Alone at Eve”
and “Won’t it be wonderful there.”
Paul speaks of a man he knew who was caught up to Paradise (2 Cor.
12:1-4) who heard words inexpressible that we not lawful to utter to
man. I find this descriptive
of everything about heaven.
We get a glimpse with His word, but we CANNOT fully comprehend it.
2 Corinthians 4:16-5:7 somewhat says this.
iv.
Will it be boring there? Without spending
much time on this, let us just notice that some when they see heaven
described think that it will be boring – worshipping God all the time,
just “sitting around doing nothing”, etc.
If truth be known, I suspect the reason some are not more
motivated to seek heaven is because they are NOT excited about it.
Based on the promises we can be assured it will NOT be boring at
all. Consider that the
reason one might feel that way is because they are looking at heaven
from the eyes of imperfect humanity with our flaws and incomplete
picture of heaven. To me,
“boring” is a worldly attitude attributed to man’s imperfection.
Let me give you ONE example of assurance – Rev. 21:4 says that God will
wipe away every tear from their eyes – we may not understand how, but He
will REMOVE all things that are not perfect, including boredom.
Heaven will be as wonderful and hell is terrible.
v.
If we can get a good
grasp of how beautiful heaven must be, perhaps it will help give us
better perspective of the things we possess upon this earth and how to
manage them. Perhaps such
will encourage us to think LESS of this world’s goods and their priority
in our lives.
c.
What does this earth
have to offer?
i.
Matt. 6:19-21 describes
what will happen to treasures laid up on this earth.
We should CONTRAST this with what heaven will be like.
The Bible throughout describes the unappealing aspects of this
world and this life.
ii.
Solomon in Ecclesiastes
called the things of this world “vanity” (Eccl. 1:2) and expounded upon
it throughout.
iii.
Temporary – passing
pleasures of sin (Heb. 11:24-25) , life is a vapor (Jas. 4:14), we bring
nothing into this world and we can carry nothing out (1 Tim. 6:7).
1 John 2:17 says the world is passing and away and the lusts
thereof.
iv.
Uncertainty – moth and
rust destroys, thrives break in and steal.
v.
Disappointment and
misery – things CANNOT bring true happiness.
That is proven over and over.
d.
Consider this: We have
VERIFIED this to be true in our earthly lives.
If so, why do we persist in putting our trust in the things of
the world. AND, if what God
says about worldly things is true (thus verifying the accuracy of His
word) let us with faith accept the truth about spiritual matters as well
– INCLUDING what He promises about heaven!
II.
Where is your treasure?
a.
A question of
examination. In scripture,
we are often presented with two paths (cf.
Matt. 7:13-14). Such
is the case with this as well.
The challenge that Jesus is issuing in our text is to determine
what is really most important to us.
And there are only two options (God and mammon – Matt. 6:24).
That which is most important is where we will devote our greatest
resources. Let us talk for a
few moments about this treasure Jesus speaks of.
b.
What is our treasure?
i.
It is not, as some
believe, always physical treasure that you give away to others while on
this earth. Some have a
materialistic view of heaven, speaking of degrees of heaven (i.e. while
all who believe are saved, what you do in this life determines how
blessed you will be there.
Some speak of the rewards of heaven or “stars in our crown”).
Heaven is NOT about retaining our physical possessions or some
similitude of such. The
money and things we give away in this life will NOT be passed on to us
in heaven so that if we give away more of this world’s things, we will
get more. While I cannot
with complete certainty say I know how we will be rewarded, I find
problems with the idea of degrees of reward in heaven.
ii.
IT is that which we value as
important, that which we cherish.
It is something you would sacrifice other things to retain.
For example: If
someone treasures their car, they will pay dearly to keep it running,
depending on its “sentimental value” maybe even more than it is worth.
This applies to many things – family, pets, hobbies, things, etc.
It might be something one devotes substantial time and resources
toward and they would NOT give it up.
An example of this is the parables of the pearl of great price &
hidden treasure (Matt. 13:44-46).
In both, the treasure was of such great value they willingly
surrendered all they had to obtain it.
iii.
Basically there are two
categories of treasure – spiritual things and “mammon.”
There are some who love the world and things of this world and such is
their treasure.
Others “treasure” spiritual things that please God more than what this
life has to offer.
2 Cor. 4:18 describes them as
things that are not seen
Phil. 3:7-11 finds Paul gladly suffering the loss of all things (of
earthly treasure) so that he might gain Christ.
In vs. 14 he called it, “the prize of the upward call of Christ
Jesus.”
c.
How do we lay up for
ourselves treasure in heaven?
i.
Think of things in terms
of investment. We understand
investments in this life. We
devote resources toward something that we anticipate to yield reward in
the future. If we invest in
something, we are very interested in its success and that it thrive.
We may even devote more resources to ensure its success (so that
we don’t lose our investment).
NOTE: Maybe that is the we ought to think about the church we are
a part of. There are many
who contribute little to the congregation – perhaps it is because they
have not heavily invested in her.
IF you want the church to be more important you to, INVEST in it!
Concerning heaven, I am reminded of what Paul said in 2 Tim. 1:12, “I
know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what
I have committed unto Him until that day.”
Paul KNEW his “Investment” in heaven would “pay off”.
ii.
Our heart has to be into it – Remember that Jesus said, “Where you treasure is, there you
heart will also be.” Do we
with our spiritual heart dwell on spiritual things?
Prov. 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it
spring the issues of life.”
iii.
Col. 3:1-2 –
set your mind on things above.
We have noted that vs. 1 tells us to seek those things above.
Vs. 2 says to set your mind on those things (that you have found
you were seeking for). The
ONLY way you are going to lay up for yourself treasure in heaven is if
you MAKE UP YOUR MIND to do so!
iv.
Give yourself to God –remember Matt. 6:24 – You CANNOT serve both God and Mammon.
You have to CHOOSE God.
You have to “choose life” (cf.
Deut. 30:39). Recall
how in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 the Macedonians, even in their poverty, gave
abundantly to help needy brethren in Judea.
What made this possible was that they “first gave themselves to
the Lord.” This demonstrates
the idea of where their treasure was.
v.
Some specific things to
consider:
1.
Jesus speaks of our good
works, which
we cannot ignore as a factor in our judgment.
Luke 12:32-34, Matt. 25:31-46, 19:21 – to the rich, young ruler;
Luke 6:17-19, Luke 14:13-14,M att. 10:42 – even the cup of cold water
does not go unnoticed. etc. Rev.
14:13 says, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on…their
works do follow them.” Exactly how this will work I cannot say, but I
know that God notices what we do for others and how much of this world’s
goods we are willing to give up and it has a bearing on our eternity.
That cannot be denied.
2.
By seeking the lost
– perhaps there is a sense in which those we take with us unto heaven
will be a part of our treasure that we will enjoy for all of eternity.
If in heaven, we recognize one another (and that is up for
debate), those with whom we had opportunity to bring to Christ will
certainly be a treasure to us – spending eternity with them.
Paul called those whom He had converted his joy and crown.
In 1 Thess. 2:19-20 he said, “For what is our hope, or joy, or
crown of rejoicing? Is it
not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For
you are our glory and joy.”
In 1 Cor. 3:11-13 Paul speaks of our work, some of precious metals and
others of perishable things.
I believe (at least in part) this is reference to those we have
opportunity to reach with the gospel.
Those whose work is not burned would be those who remain
faithful.
3.
There are godly
attitudes that we are to strive to possess while upon this earth that we
can take with us
– i.e. love, etc. Cf. 1 Cor.
13:13 – the greatest of these is love.
Jas. 3:17 speaks of the wisdom that is from above includes purity,
peace, gentleness, mercy, good fruits, willingness to yield, etc.
Such things transcend this life.
Romans 14:17 says, “for the
kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace
and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Furthermore, in studying the attributes of God we find such things.
They will certainly be prevalent in heaven.
4.
By faithfully serving
and worshipping God
– throughout the book of Revelation, whenever we find the throne of God
in heaven we find creatures worshipping Him.
It is a foregone conclusion that such is some of what we will do
in heaven. If in eternity we
will be always be with the Lord and continually worshipping Him, it
needs to be something we properly develop on earth and seek to enjoy.
Our worship upon this earth ought to be a foretaste of heaven.
We sing songs to Him now, looking for that New Song we will sing in
heaven.