Untitled Sermon (9)

Take Inventory

Main Idea: It is impossible to love God with a divided heart or faulty vision.

Life Application: Earthly treasure is temporary, but heavenly treasure is eternal.

INTRODUCTION

According to the mindset of this world, one of our main objectives should be wealth and possessions.Advertisements urge us to invest in gold, silver, or cryptocurrency. We are encouraged to join the ground level of the next super-successful adventure. For example, if you had invested $10000 in Amazon in 1997, it would be worth about $16,450,000 today, an annual return of approximately thirty-four percent. I hope that makes you feel better! For most of us, an extra ten thousand dollars in 1997 was as distant as the earth is from the sun! Since we are human, we sometimes fall for the worldly mindset that places great value on things and money.

One of the confusing aspects of paying too much attention to what our culture demands is its fluidity in what it deems necessary. What was promoted a few years ago no longer applies. As someone once stated, “You reach the top of the proverbial ladder and find it was leaning against the wrong wall!” What is of great earthly treasure varies between cultures. If we could take a quick journey to a developing nation today, we would be shocked at the value placed on twenty dollars.

Whether or not we admit it, our priorities reveal what we consider valuable. Although a necessity, money becomes a snare if it enslaves us. Possessions are not wrong, but an insatiable desire for more of this world’s goods indicates an unhealthy affection for things that will never satisfy. No matter where you go, there are storage units galore to store all the stuff most people will never use. If we love God and give Him the first place, our passion for wealth and possessions will be tempered by selfless generosity.

Scripture: Matt. 6:19-24 (NIV)

Transition Statement: Loving God with a divided heart or faulty vision is impossible.

· Where is your treasure? For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

As with all the Scriptures, we must carefully consider the context of what we read. Jesus was not saying we should neglect business or operate without a profit. He warns against a worldly mindset, a materialistic tethering of our hearts to this earth (Stott). Although we pursue prosperity, we dare not allow it to wean our hearts away from eternal values. The riches of this life are transitory and fleeting at best. Even the most successful person will someday leave it all behind. There are no pockets in a shroud; a moving van never follows a hearse to the cemetery. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it (I Tim. 6:7). No matter what our bank account might record when we die, we will leave it all behind. (Rockefeller inheritance)

All our treasure in heaven is safe from inflation and taxation! It will endure when the dollar, euro, and all other currency ceases to exist. The treasure waiting for us in heaven is measured by no earthly standard but by our deeds of love, kindness, and sacrifice. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on; they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them (Rev. 14:13). Laying up treasure in heaven is the best example of paying it forward! Our reward in heaven will not be based on our mortal preferences since we will have an eternal perspective.

How can we discern where our treasure resides? Where does your heart—that inner center of your affections, desires, and emotions—feel at home? The place we designate to store our treasure reveals something about us. It is who we are without makeup or touch-up. William Barclay says, “It is foolish to look for pleasure in things which are bound to offer diminishing returns.” Yet, most people continue to pursue the things that moths, and rust will destroy. Whenever you pass a salvage yard, remember someone once thought those vehicles represented happiness, status, and pleasure. Perhaps they were willing to lose their home to possess that vehicle. Now, they represent junk! An insatiable thirst for money is like drinking salt water. No matter how much is consumed, the thirst remains.

· What is your vision? If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.

A divided heart causes distorted vision. Our spiritual vision is clear or cloudy, and its clarity is dependent on what we consider valuable. When our natural eyes are blinded, we cannot avoid obstacles but trip and fall and often hurt ourselves. We are dangerous to ourselves and to everyone around us. An impaired vision changes the way we operate. To have a 20/20 vision is a blessing we often take for granted.

Our spiritual vision is not dependent on physical eyesight. Many saints are naturally blind but spiritually alert. When spiritual vision is missing, or if it has dimmed, an almost impenetrable darkness ensues. Things that were clear fade into oblivion. Spiritual darkness invades gradually and imperceptibly. Little compromises lead to drastic capitulations. We see this happening in the church as the values of a dark world invade. However, the Light can prevail and instantly dispel all darkness! Healthy eyes will enable us to maintain a vision of those things that will last for all eternity.

· Who is your master? No one can serve two masters.

In this translation, Jesus declares it is impossible to serve God and money. Whenever God says something is impossible, we should pay attention. God will never take second or third place in our affections, desires, or ambitions. To attempt to satisfy two masters makes it impossible to serve one with our full attention. Jesus is either Lord of all or not Lord at all! We understand this principle from a natural standpoint. Many an employee has been let go when their loyalties were found divided. Yet, many Christians attempt to pull off this stunt and wonder why their lives are dull and fruitless. While they profess to love God with all their hearts, they also bow down to a rival god in their attempt to serve two masters. These rival gods cater to our natural impulses and desires and appear more tolerant than the God who demands all our worship and adoration. Satan laughs at Christians who try to ride the fence, for he knows they will be easy to overpower.

Shared worship is impossible no matter how hard we work at it. By itself, money is not sinful but is a necessity for life. It is also a blessing if used correctly but a merciless taskmaster when it becomes a god to us. “It is no sin to have money, but it is a sin to serve it” (Morris). To attempt to live a life of double devotion leads to frustration and spiritual instability.

Transition Statement: If we want to live a victorious life, we will serve God and lay up treasures on the other side.

CONCLUSION

Every successful business keeps a close eye on its inventory. As Christians, we should periodically take inventory of our spiritual progress. Where is our treasure? What is our vision? Who is our master? All three questions call for an honest response, even when it is difficult to admit the truth. At times we can fool others and even lie to ourselves, but God knows all things and sees us as we are without any pretense. Money is not wrong, and possessions are not evil, but an endless pursuit for either is spiritually devastating. Although God gives us all things to enjoy, “it is supreme treason to prize the gift above the donor” (Green).

The attitudes we convey toward the things of time displays our commitment to God, the owner of earth, sea, and sky. In this world, the best balance sheet can dissipate, but the wealth in heaven remains secure. The Scriptures do not condemn making money and sustaining a family. Conversely, those who will not provide are called worse than unbelievers. However, the attitude and affection of the heart is always the issue. Jesus calls us to live unattached to this world, to maintain a heavenly mindset based on eternal values. You and I were created with an inner need for a relationship with God. May we never attempt to fill that vacuum with the paltry items of this world or with its declining currency. Let us invest our time and energy in the things that time cannot erode (Barclay).

Prayer

Lord God, we humbly bow our hearts and heads in your holy presence. We thank you for the power in the Word, even when it convicts us and shows us where we have strayed. Today, we confess our focus has not always been on eternal values. Many times, our affections have been set on the things of this world. Please forgive and cleanse us, today. We desire to store up heavenly treasure, to have a clear spiritual vision, and to serve you alone. Help us pull away from anything that would defile us. Grant us an understanding of those things that will last forever. Today, we turn to you, O Lord, and forsake everything that would hinder our journey towards our heavenly destination. We pray all this in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen!

BENEDICTION

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.