Treasure and Trust

Life is about more than stuff, it is about knowing and loving God, and loving people!

What is Life?

A brother with a problem - stuff!

Life is more than possessions.

Zoe vs. Bios. We tend to look at life as just physical existence. But Jesus said life is far more than possessions or food. True life is knowing God and understanding your purpose for existence!

A man who had everything and yet had nothing!

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eleven: Believer, Beware! (Luke 12)

People who are satisfied only with the things that money can buy are in great danger of losing the things that money cannot buy

Mark 8:36–37 “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?”

Life is knowing God and walking in fellowship with Him!

John 17:3 “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

In Whom is Your Trust?

The other side of covetous greed that can never get enough is worry over having too little.

Worry and anxiety will tear you apart.

The Father provides for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field.

You are of more value than birds.

Seek first the Kingdom! It is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom!!!!

Where is your Treasure?

Two commands: Don’t invest on earth. Invest in heaven.

A farmer came to his wife excited, “Our best cow just gave birth to twin calves. We are going to give one to the Lord and keep one for ourselves.” “Which one are we giving to the Lord?” the wife asked. The farmer said, “It doesn’t matter, we will raise them the same and then give half the money when we sell them.” A few months go by and one calf dies. The farmer says, “Bad news, the Lord’s calf died.”

In Bible days, people kept their valuables in clothing, grain, and coins within the house. These were susceptible to being eaten away or stolen. The breaking in was literally digging through a dirt wall.

Through history, we have developed more sophisticated means to guard our valuables, but thieves always find a way to steal. (safes, banks, identity protection, etc).

Jesus wants his followers to invest themselves and their lives in that which lasts for eternity, because “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

When you invest in something you care about what happens to it (give to missions, etc).

“You can’t take it with you, but you CAN send it ahead.” - Randy Alcorn

There was once a wealthy man whom people often speculated over the amount of his estate (net worth). His own family did not even know the total. Finally, he passed away. Though they had not been together in years, the whole family gathered (sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, and even some distant cousins), all waited for the reading of the will. Impatiently someone yelled out, “So how much did the old miser leave behind?” The attorney looked up and replied, “all of it.” You can’t take it with you, but you can store up treasure in heaven by following the Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.

You only truly keep what you give away to the Lord. (Your life, your resources, investing in the life of others).

Two things from this life that last for eternity: The Word of God and the souls of people. What are you investing your life in?