Brother Quinn Steimlosk from Emmaus Road Church preached the Word this morning while Pastor Beau and Kimberly Floyd were away in South Dakota speaking in a Missions Conference. Quinn read Matthew 6:19-34 and then specifically exegeted verses 19-24. 

In his introduction, Quinn shared how these words of Jesus have been challenging him over the past two weeks.  He mentioned reading Randy Alcorn’s book, The Treasure Principle.  Ninety-five pages.  Takes two to three hours to read.  Quinn noted that fifteen percent of what Jesus talked about related to money and possessions.  Proving this, Quinn read one verse after another.  Only one time did Jesus touch on tithing.  Tithing was a bare minimum, not the end goal, but just a starting point.

Quinn also brought up Barna Group’s article published this past June, entitled Christians’ Financial Motives Matter.  The statistics reveal ultimately what we treasure in America.  God desires us to serve Him with our money, to be a generous people, and not just barely scratching the surface in helping those who are needy.

Quinn challenged us with these verses:

• Proverbs 14:21 – “Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
• Acts 20:35 – “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
• I Timothy 6:9-10 – “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.  It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

Clearly, (1) Jesus is passionate about His teaching on money, (2) God will open the floodgates of heaven as we honor him, and (3) there is great joy in giving.

In the closing verses of Matthew 6, Jesus gives us three commands:

1. Instead of building treasure on this earth, lay up the treasure in heaven.
2. Do not be anxious.
3. Seek first the Kingdom of heaven

What does it look like to lay up treasure in heaven?  Quinn provided a couple personal examples that he witnessed in the giving by others.

Can one store up treasure on earth and in heaven?  Jesus says that you cannot do both.  Jesus wants us to experience heaven to the fullest.

God makes people wealthy so that they might increase their means of giving for kingdom work.  Consider Luke 12:32-33 and 14:12-14.  Who invites people over to their homes who can’t pay them back?

Matthew 6:22-23 can be a little confusing.  Through some helpful insights by John Piper, Quinn ties this passage to Matthew 20:11-15 where the last phrase is the same.  Where our eye is seeing God as stingy or at fault, our hearts are filled with darkness.  Don’t let that happen.  Don’t let your attitudes toward money became a greater god than the Master’s generosity to those you deem unworthy.

Quinn closed the message today with the story of the rich, young ruler in Matthew 19:21-22.

Here are some questions related to today’s text.

Observation

1. What happens to treasures on the earth? Treasure in heaven?
2. Can you serve two masters?

Interpretation

1. How do you build up treasures in heaven?
2. “If your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness” – what does this mean?

Application

1. What has consumed most of your thinking in the last week? Money and possessions? Or Kingdom giving?
2. What material possessions do you dream about having? What are you busting your butt for throughout the week?
3. Have you given much or given little to the gospel ministry in your city?
4. Do you regularly give to the needy?
5. How much money does it take for you to have a livable wage in Idaho? Do you give the rest away?
6. When you receive a promotion, do you increase your own personal spending on yourself?
7. Are you jealous, envious, or depressed when you see others in your church, in the neighborhood, or on Facebook who experience riches, blessings, or favor?
8. Do is it make you unhappy when you see God bestows favor on someone else?
9. Do you really believe that giving to others brings joy?
10. Are you hoarding anything? What is at the root of hoarding wealth?
11. Which do we serve more in America? God?  Or money?