How Do I Lay Up Treasures in Heaven?

Matthew 6:19-20

I.        Introduction:

A.     Compare verses 19 and 20 – the word “yourselves.”

1.       We can understand that “ourselves” is for us as we live in this world.

a.      It is also true that the “ourselves” is for us in the world to come.

b.      We do nothing to please anybody else – that is not a reward for us, and it is not laying up treasuries in heaven.

2.       We do everything for God – that is laying up treasuries in heaven.

3.       It is a little scary to step out by faith, giving our finances (actually our everything) to God, but the end results are GREAT!

B.     I Corinthians 10:31 – “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

II.     Luke 16:1-18 – Understand this passage.  See:   ..\Parables of Christ\04 Parables about Individuals\11 The Unjust Steward.doc

A.     What is the mammon of unrighteousness?

1.       Mammon is wealth.  Unrighteousness is that which is unjust, that which is wrong, that which is iniquity.  What does this mean?

a.      Mammon of unrighteousness is wealth.  The passage means we take wealth, and use it to purchase things that are heavenly.

b.      Gives tithes and offerings so we can learn that God will take care of all our material needs.

c.      Use our home for entertaining God’s children and others so we can learn that all people are the same.

d.      Use our car for bringing people to church services so we can learn that this vehicle can be used by God.

2.       Scriptures showing that material things will not last.

a.      Proverbs 23:5 – “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”

b.      I Timothy 6:9,10 – “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

c.      II Corinthians 4:18 – “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

3.       Luke 16:10-13 – The only way we will learn spiritual truths is to give all our material possessions to God.

a.      Verse 10-11 – If we are not faithful to give God our material possessions, he will not give us spiritual possessions.

b.      Verse 12 – Everything we own really belongs to God.  If we are not faithful to realize that, how can we expect God to give us anything of our own.  I believe this is mainly speaking about the fact described in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) when the faithful were given rule over many things.  The parable of the pounds (Luke 19:12-27) explains that the faithful will be given authority over a certain number of cities, according to their faithfulness.

B.     Pray that God will provide.  Our chief duty in life is not to provide, but to serve, worship, and honor Jesus Christ.

1.       Money is a tool!  Possessions are tools!

2.       Matthew 17:24-27 – God can make money appear out of nowhere, as he did when Peter got the coin out of the fish’s mouth to pay tribute.

3.       Psalms 50:10 – God owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

4.       Matthew 6:33 – God will supply every material necessity if we seek his kingdom and his righteousness first.

5.       Matthew 6:27 – Taking thought won’t add to your wealth.

6.       Gal. 2:20,21 – We live our life with the power of God for the glory of God. It is not our life, but our life belongs to God.

7.       Luke 10:30-37 – The Good Samaritan – use what you have – eyes, mind, compassion, money donkey (vehicle).