FAITH OVER FEAR: THE GENEROSITY CHALLENGE. MATT 6:22-34

Bible Passage: Matthew 6:22–34

Summary: In Matthew 6:22-34, Jesus contrasts earthly treasures with heavenly values, urging His followers to prioritize God's kingdom. He emphasizes that anxiety stems from misplaced focus on material concerns, and illustrates how generosity expands our view of what truly matters. This passage invites believers to consider how their actions reflect their faith and how trusting God can transform anxieties into a commitment to generosity and service.

Application: This sermon encourages Christians to assess the roots of their fears and anxieties regarding financial security and encourages them to rely on God's promises and provision. By adopting a generous spirit, individuals can free themselves from worry and foster a more fulfilled and purposeful way of living that reflects their trust in God.

Teaching: The message teaches that living generously counteracts anxiety and aligns our lives with God’s eternal purposes. Believers are called to foster a deeper faith that translates into action, showing kindness and generosity to others as a reflection of God’s unlimited resources.

How this passage could point to Christ: In this passage, Christ embodies the ultimate provision of God, reminding us that He cares for our needs and encourages us to share with others. Jesus’ presence is the assurance that all riches are found in Him, and by following His example, we can exhibit Kingdom living that prioritizes relationships over riches.

Big Idea: True freedom from anxiety and the power to live generously come when we fully trust God's provision, challenging us to let go of our fears and embrace a life of abundant faith and giving.

Recommended Study: As you aim to deepen your understanding of this passage, consider using Logos to explore the textual dimensions of Jesus' teachings on wealth and worry within the Gospel of Matthew. Investigate how ancient Jewish culture perceived generosity and worry to shed light on Jesus’ revolutionary message. Dive into commentaries that connect these verses with Old Testament principles about dependence on God and how they shape New Testament ethics.

INTRODUCTION

Good Morning Life Church. Today we finish up Matt 6-

As we discuss:

Faith Over Fear: The Generosity Challenge.

Stand with me as we read together the Word of the Lord to us today.

Matthew 6:31–33 NASB95

“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Thank you, you may be seated!

Anxiety is killing people!

(Research on anxiety and how it affects our health)

Financial anxiety is one of the biggest issues many face.

We live in a world that is based on materialism and many of us have swallowed the bait.

We become trapped trying to keep up with our neighbors.

We even teach this to our children.

Social media teaches materialism to our kids and ourselves.

Americans spend on entertainment - ?

The poor watch tv

The rich read books

Over spend - over extend - huge debt - feels like a black hole that there is no way out of.

YOU DON’T NEED TO RAISE YOUR HANDS BUT I BET THERE ARE MORE THAN A FEW OF YOU WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH FINANCIAL ANXIETY.

MY PERSONAL STRUGGLE WITH FINANCIAL ANXIETY

Scared to tithe / Give a few $ / I can’t be generous I am poor / Then Callie was moved by God to give / My life changed forever / Realized that if I gave and trusted God - He would take care of us.

TODAY, JESUS WILL TEACH US HOW WE CAN OVERCOME OUR ANXIETY - FEAR, THROUGH FAITH IN HIS GENEROSITY!

1. A CLEAR EYE EXPELS DARKNESS WHILE DOUBLE SIGHTED LEADS TO ANXIETY.

Matthew 6:22-23

CULTURAL CONTEXT:

Medical - Ancient people believed the eye was a lamp and light came in and out. We see because light comes from the eye and interacts with the light of an object, forming a picture of the image in our mind.

Jewish Idiom - Good eye = Generous person / looking out for the needs of others - Bad or evil eye - Stingy / Greedy / Blind to the needs of others.

JESUS TEACHING - A clear eye that is set upon the Kingdom of God makes a person full of light. They can clearly see God as the provider and clearly see the needs of others. This clarity in God and the needs of others leads to a life of generosity and selfless giving.

A bad eye or evil eye is focussed fully on self and can only see their needs and desires. It is blind to the ways of God and blind to the needs of others.

A Good eye sees the nature of God as generous and fatherly, willing to always provide for the needs of His children.

A bad eye, sees God as stingy, not caring, or even ignorant to our needs. I must look out for myself because God won’t. Therefore, I always come first.

Let me show you a couple scriptures that make this even more clear.

Matthew 20:15 NASB95

‘Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’

Proverbs 28:22 NASB95

A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth And does not know that want will come upon him.

WHEN WE ARE SO FOCUSSED ON OURSELVES AND BLIND TO GOD’S GENEROSITY AND THE NEEDS OF OTHERS, WE BECOME HYPER FOCUSSED ON OUR OWN NEEDS WHICH LEAD TO ANXIETY AND FEAR.

WHEN OUR EYE IS CLEAR AND ALIGNED WITH GOD’S KINGDOM, IT DISPELS DARKNESS AND ANXIETY.

2. Choose a Loyal Master

Matthew 6:24-27

You could highlight that Jesus emphasizes the impossibility of serving both God and wealth. Anxiety often follows misplaced priorities. Maybe challenge the audience to trust fully in God, rejecting the lure of materialism. This trust leads to a life of generous giving, knowing God values us more than anything else and provides for our needs.

3. Trust in God's Care

Matthew 6:28-34

Consider discussing how Jesus uses nature to illustrate God's provision, urging believers to trust Him with their worries. Perhaps encourage adopting a kingdom-focused mindset, where seeking God first alleviates anxiety and allows for radical generosity. This approach fosters faith that God’s care transcends our immediate concerns.