Treasure You Can't See

Intro

It is an adventure to teach kids about money

Amazon orders; piggy banks; talk to Bill, etc.

Unfortunately, we still have a lot to learn as adults

Not just to be financially responsible (still a good idea)

The Bible speaks a lot about wealth, and the impact it has on our relationship with God

Matthew 6:19-21 is an example of this

Still part of the sermon on the mount

Still part of Jesus’ teaching on the upside-down kingdom of heaven

Read Matthew 6:19-21 and pray.

An Upside-Down Investment (v. 19-21)

“Lay up” = “store up” = like a treasure chest, or safety deposit box in a bank

Refers to what we hold most dear

Think of Smaug the dragon hoarding all the gold and gems

Moreso, refers to where we are investing in the future

How are you making your plans? Where are you placing your trust? In what do you find your hope?

When it comes to investing, make sure to listen to an expert

Share the story of talking with my financial adviser before investing despite concerns of a recession

I reaped the benefits of listenting to an expert financial adviser; How much more should we listen to the words of Jesus when it comes to our eternal investment?

Jesus provides us with two investment opportunities:

Treasures on earth

These are enjoyable and enticing!

We can appreciate them, see them, strive for them, experience them and receive short-term satisfaction

According the to the wisdom of the kingdom of the world, this is where we are to invest (human nature)

But Jesus points out a fatal flaw: These treasures are short-lived

“Moth and rust destroy” = clothes being eaten away by moths (need mothballs)

Reveals that earthly treasures do not last, but will fade away

“Thieves break in and steal”

Reveals that earthly treasures can be taken away from you

So why invest your future in things that will fade away and can be stolen away?

Jesus - the expert - says, “Do not”

Even if you aren’t sure about Jesus, everyone must agree: You can’t take it with you when you die

When pressed, we all acknowledge the temporary nature of earthly things

Treasures in heaven

Harder to appreciate in the moment, as they are often invisible, intangible, relational and not physical

Doens’t mean they can’t be experienced, but much harder to define

Because they are so much different, it is a challenge for us to make them our priority (counter-intuitive)

But unlike earthly treasures, investing in the kingdom of heaven is long-term, permanent and eternal

Cf. 1 Peter 1:3-5.

Characteristics are described in line with Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6.

Imperishable = neither moth nor rust destroys

Undefiled = where thieves do not break in and steal

Unfading = will be there today, tomorrow and forever

Comes with a guarantee: “kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded”

Think back to safety deposit box; this investment is assured by God’s unlimited power; take it to the bank!

When we listen to the expert, and weigh the pros and cons, our decision should be clear: We need to make an upside-down investment

It would be foolish to put our future hopes in the wealth of the world

Short-term, destroyable and can be taken away

It is much more secure to invest in the kingdom of heaven

Eternal, imperishable, and guarded by God’s power

If we choose to listen to Jesus, it will mean going against the grain of our own human nature and the priorities of the world around us

An upside-down investment for the upside-down kingdom

How can we do this? What does it look like to make an upside-down investment?

How To Invest in the Kingdom of Heaven

Cf. 1 Timothy 6:17-19.

Do Not:

Be haughty

Avoid the temptation of thinking that your earthly wealth makes you better than anyone else

Has been going on since the dawn of time (social structures)

Can be the evil underbelly of the “American dream”

Hard work = success; you want earn what you have; you deserve it

Also shows cracks in prosperity teaching in the church

Wealth = God’s blessing because of faith; therefore lack of wealth = lack of faith

Set your hope on the uncertainty of riches

We already covered this ground in the teaching of Jesus

It makes no sense to place your hope in things that can be destroyed and taken away from you

Do:

Set your hope on God

The other side of the coin in Jesus’ argument

Adds an important detail: “who richly provides us with everything to enjoy”

God delights in blessing His people with what we need and what we enjoy

We can enjoy these blessings; wealth is not inherently evil or ungodly

The question is not are you rich or not; the question is how are you treating your riches?

As blessings from God to be enjoyed, or human achievements to be relied upon?

Refer to conversation with Roland about giving up Airpods

Be rich in good works

Paul stays with the wealth metaphor, but shows that the conversation is about more than just money

Instead of focusing on being rich in material wealth, we should be rich in good works

Serving others

Read some examples off my phone; add Emery preaching; Bergens serving at church after camping, all the work that youth and children’s volunteers do… so many examples!

Living in obedience to the teachings of Scripture

Sermons are helpful; I miss the conversations with my small groups

Putting our time, energy (and money) in things that matter (according to the teaching of Jesus

Share Karen and I’s discussion around youth sports and how it may (or may not) serve larger priorities

Be generous and ready to share

Generosity is the key; it shows that we are willing to use our wealth for others and not just ourselves

Cf. Luke 12:33-34; make comment about “moneybags that do not grow old”

Generosity will give when it hurts (sell your possessions)

Share conversation with Karen about where to cutback, and where not to (opportunities for kids and for generosity

Generosity will be focused on the needy

Share about the outcome of the WITC offering for the INN; encourage others to invest in this project, or SCO, or Soups On, or the work of Travis and Rosey in Paraguay

A Matter of the Heart, Not Money

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also

This is about ensuring that we place our hope, trust and devotion in Jesus (and His kingdom)

Money and material possessions can easily tempt us away

Cf. Matthew 6:24.

What we treasure reveals where our heart is

Cf. Matthew 19:21-22 (story of the rich young man)

He had fallen prey to the devotion of possessions

Money was his master, and the call to give it up revealed the state of his heart

Outward actions looked religious, but he was not devoted to following Jesus

Changing what we treasure changes our heart

Deciding to live generously towards others will positively orient our hearts towards the kingdom

Find a good illustration here

Jesus and Paul have given us the playbook on how to invest in the kingdom of God

Put these ideas into action, and it will transform your priorities (change your heart) as you live out this upside-down investment

Pray