The Narrow Path: Treasure + Trust

he New International Version (Chapter 7)

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Only through Jesus and His way can we experience the good life now and forevermore.

Our motives are often mirrors of our hearts.

Helping mom put away groceries

I was sacred and had a scaricity mindset

The New International Version (Chapter 6)

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Treasure today I believe would be your money + possessions, time, and attention.

If someone did an audit of your life, where would your heart be?

The New International Version (Chapter 6)

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

blinders

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (Mammon).

“Mammon” refers to one’s possessions, like money, wealth, or property. In the New Testament, only Jesus uses the word “mammon.”

He describes mammon as a burdensome ruler, seeking to lure humans into its own control.

Mammon comes from an Aramaic word, mamon, that means trustworthy.

The best way to avoid the trap of mammon is to give away things.

We cannot have duel allegiances.

The New International Version (Chapter 6)

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”

― Corrie Ten Boom

The New International Version (Chapter 6)

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

The weight of worry was not something we were created to carry.

Worry withholds us from trusting God.

God’s track-record of faithfulness is perfect.

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

The antidote to worry is surrender.

Dependance on Jesus delivers us from our desires to be in control.

If we don’t live open handedly, the things we own will eventually own us.

Worry and wealth will not bring you peace, but Jesus will.

Worry and wealth will not protect you, but Jesus will.

Worry and wealth will not bring you life, but Jesus will.

Worry and wealth will not last, but Jesus will.

Worry and wealth will not save you, but Jesus will.

Jesus is more than enough.

Matthew

The New International Version (Chapter 13)

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

Jesus is more than enough.

The best way to avoid the trap of mammon is to give away things.

The best way to weed out worry is to get to the roots and to remember His track record.