‘But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ‘ Matthew 6:33
This week at Crosspoint Church in Niceville, FL, Pastor Jared Darby from City Hope Church continued the sermon series, gODS – Image – Sex – MONEY – Power. The concentration this week was on the subject of money.
Here is a recap of my notes from Jared’s message.
Money is one of the most challenging things we will face. Marriages end due to arguments over money. We find ourselves in arguments with people about money when we feel that we didn’t get what we paid for.
We think about not having enough money to retire or to have enough to live. Most, unfortunately, people live paycheck to paycheck, sometimes finding more month at the end of the money.
Sometimes, we put money before God and others, making it an idol.
For believers in Jesus, He didn’t leave us hanging without giving us a proper perspective on money.
‘ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ‘ Matthew 6:19-21
We can look at two areas that reveal this to find out what we treasure. One is where we spend our money, and the next is our time.
According to Jesus, He says, “not to store up for yourselves treasures on earth.”
What do we treasure? Jesus gave us the Parables of the Hidden Treasures and the Pearl:
‘ “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. ‘ Matthew 13:44-46
In both instances, the purchaser sold everything to get the treasure. As compared to the Rich young ruler who was unwilling to sell his possessions to follow Jesus:
‘Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.’ Matthew 19:16-30
Our treasure is in Jesus Christ.
‘For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. ‘ 2 Corinthians 1:20
One of the things that I have heard about people who have attended church and ended up falling away is that “they are always talking about money.”
Most people I hear say this is generally in trouble with money. But God’s Word has a way of cutting to the core of our issues. Those who struggle with money will find a way to walk away because they are uncomfortable with the subject.
‘ “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. ‘ Luke 11:42
Jesus addressed this subject about the Pharisees, saying that the tithe or “tenth” is the baseline, but it is just the starting point; more important is not the giving but the posture of our hearts towards others with the giving.
‘ “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! ‘ Matthew 6:22-23
Jesus continues to explain that our eyes, about how we look at others, determine where our hearts are for others.
When we healthily look at others, we are looking at what we can do to help others, and if we look at others in an unhealthy way, we are looking at what we can get from them.
In verse above, the Greek word for “unhealthy” implies “stingy.”
When we give, if it is done grudgingly, in the eyes of God, it is as if we have given nothing.
‘Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” ‘ 2 Corinthians 9:7-9
When God put it on my heart to tithe, I was in a horrible financial situation. But I pressed forward with it anyways. I prayed over my giving. And the miraculous thing about it is that I have not had a reason to worry about money from that point forward.
‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. ‘ Malachi 3:10
‘ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. ‘ Matthew 6:24
When we rely on anything outside of God for our needs, we are limiting what God can do through us. And this can also cause us to see others as being in our way. But people are there for us to serve. And when we concentrate on the needs of those around us, God will take care of our needs.
When we look at the world around us for what we need instead of God, we can start worrying when things go sideways.
Our bank account is shrinking.
The stock market is crashing.
But here is the promise of God:
‘But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ‘ Matthew 6:33
What are we seeking?
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and Your promise.
I pray that You make me a good steward of Your resources. Help me to put You first in my life, followed by those You have put in my path.
I pray that You continue to give me the desire to seek You above all else. Help me to understand Your Word and let it reveal the things in my heart that You want me to change.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray! Amen!! 🙏❤️
