Treasure in Heaven
So far in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has been challenging his followers’ to live life differently than the people around them. In this section (Matthew 6:19-34), he confronts his disciples’ attitude towards their stuff. They should store up treasure in heaven, not on earth.
What is treasure in heaven? Some think it’s a mansion there in lieu of a nice vacation here? Rather, heavenly treasure is about being a part of what God is doing. It’s about taking delight in seeing God’s will done on earth. So when God’s kingdom finally comes in full, you’ll know you had a part to play.
Building up this treasure means saying, ‘no’ to other things in our lives. So it means reevaluating our priorities. Also, it means simplifying so we have time, money and attention left over to be present to God and others.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
- How do I feel at the end of the day? Am I exhausted, or do I feel like I have something to offer God?
- If I were surrounded by people who only had the basics (food, shelter, medical care, basic clothing and transportation) would anything in my life start to feel like it was unnecessary?
- Marketers work to manufacture desire. Are they manipulating me into believing I need things that I don’t really need?
- If you had a bit more time or a bit more money to devote to God’s kingdom, what would you do?
Other Sermons In This Series