Where Is Your Heart?
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust consume and where thieves
break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures
in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and
where thieves do not break in and steal. For where
your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
(Matthew 6:19-21 RSV)
Warning!
 Materialism is
destroying many
disciples, some
even while they
are “faithfully
going to church.”
(Paul Earnhart)
And He said to them, "Take heed
and beware of covetousness,
for one's life does not consist in the
abundance of the things he
possesses." (Luke 12:15 NKJV)
Matthew 6:19-24 – Threat to
Righteousness: Materialism
 NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS...
 A "master" by definition demands "total loyalty", and we are
unable to please two masters at the same time
 Such is certainly true with God - cf. Exo 34:14
 Mammon is evidently no different
 WE HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN GOD AND
No one can serve two
masters, for either he will
 When wealth is coveted, and becomes the priority in our lives, it
hate one and love the
becomes a "god" - cf. Ep 5:5; Co 3:5
other, or else he will
 So the choice becomes one as to whether we shall worship
attach himself to one and
the One True God, or be "idolaters" following after a false god!
despise the other.You
 CHOOSE TO SERVE GOD...
cannot serve both God
 As Jesus would later say, "Seek first the kingdom of God and
and Money. (Matthew
His righteousness" - Mt 6:33
6:24 TCNT)
MAMMON...
 Do this, and God becomes our Master
 Since we can't serve two masters, this effectively
eliminates Mammon from being our "god"!
The Love of Money…
 But those who desire to be
rich fall into temptation, into
a snare, into many senseless
and hurtful desires that plunge
men into ruin and destruction.
For the love of money is
the root of all evils; it is
through this craving that some
have wandered away from the
faith and pierced their hearts
with many pangs. (1 Timothy
6:9-10 RSV)
 Keep your life free from love
of money, and be content with
what you have; for he has said, "I
will never fail you nor forsake
you." (Hebrews 13:5 RSV)
 Do not overwork to be rich; Because
of your own understanding, cease!
Will you set your eyes on that
which is not? For riches certainly
make themselves wings;They fly
away like an eagle toward heaven.
(Proverbs 23:4-5 NKJV)
Commands To Those Who Are Rich!
 DO NOT BE HAUGHTY...
 That is, high-minded or conceited - 1 Ti
6:17; cf. Ja 4:6
 Remember that what you have ultimately
comes from God!
 DO NOT TRUST IN WEALTH FOR
SECURITY...
 Riches are “uncertain” (especially in our
economy!) - 1 Ti 6:17; Prov. 23:4,5
 Riches are “insufficient” - cf. Lk 12:15-21
(the parable of the rich fool)
 BE A GENEROUS PERSON...
 Note the repeated emphasis - 1 Ti 6:18
 “Do good, be rich in good works”
 “Ready to give, willing to share”
 As for the rich in this world,
charge them not to be haughty,
nor to set their hopes on
uncertain riches but on God who
richly furnishes us with
everything to enjoy.They are to
do good, to be rich in good deeds,
liberal and generous, thus laying
up for themselves a good
foundation for the future, so that
they may take hold of the life
which is life indeed. (1 Timothy
6:17-19 RSV)
Matthew 6:25-34 – Threat to
Righteousness: Worry
 Jesus Uses Four
Principles
1.
2.
3.
4.
From the greater to the
lesser. (25)
From the lesser to the
greater. (26)
Worry is worthless! (27)
God knows our needs!
(31-32)
The service of riches leads to anxiety
and worry, but the service of God
leads to peace, joy, and happiness!
Why Is Worrying Sinful?
 We are commanded NOT to worry... v. 25, 31, 34; cf. Phil
4:6
 It keeps us from duty... Eph 5:16
 It impairs our health - Psa 32:3-5
 Ever hear of someone worrying himself sick?
 Dr. S.S. McMillan in his book “None of These Diseases” shows how
hives, asthma, ulcers and high blood pressure can be directly
related to worry. Incidents of stomach ulcers go up or down
with the stock market.
Why Is Worrying Sinful?
 It robs us of joy, happiness and peace
 Phil 4:4-7; Prov 17:22
 Worry - derivative of middle English word which means “to strangle” -
fighting in two different directions.
 Worry reflects a lack of faith, is doubting, and therefore it
hinders our prayers... James 1:5,6
 It chokes the word of God out of our hearts... Luke 8:14 (It
is interesting that the word “worries” is from same word as
“anxiety” in 1 Pet 5:7).
Do We Have Faith In God?
If God takes care of these, will
He not take care of men?
To say "no" is to express a true
lack of faith in God's love and
power and our worth to God.
 People of faith know that God
has the power!
 That God has the concern!
 That we have a worth to God
beyond unspiritual creatures!
Have no anxiety about
anything, but in everything
by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known to
God. (Philippians 4:6
RSV)
The Most Important Thing!
 Satan cares little as
to whether we are
consumed with
greed or obsessed
by worry as long as
our minds are set
on things rather
than on God!
 "But seek first the kingdom
of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be
added to you. (Matthew
6:33 NKJV)
 Set your mind on things
above, not on things on the
earth. (Colossians 3:2
NKJV)
Jesus shows us how to find real peace
in a world of anxiety!
 Put your life in God's hands with a
committed trust. Rest in His love &
power.
 Take it one day at a time. Put His will
first and you will live in the confidence
that all the needs of your life will be
met.
 Such assurance belongs only to
But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
those who show their faith in
joy, peace, patience, kindness,
obedience to the gospel.
goodness, faithfulness, (Galatians
 Have you?
5:22 RSV)
 Invitation To A Spiritual Revolution by Paul Earnhart
 How To Deal With Lust By Brian Anderson
 Sermon Outlines on Matthew By Mark Copeland
 Outline By Johnny Felker
 Outline By Jim Deason
 Prayer Outline by Steve Higginbotham
 The Gospel of Matthew by Kenneth L. Chumbley