Untitled Sermon

How does focusing on eternity help deal with poverty?

Matthew 6:19-22

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Though we lack earthly riches, we have great riches in eternity.

1 Timothy 6:10–11

10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

If you’re focused on earthly treasures, your heart is vulnerable to corruption.

Matthew 6:32-33

32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But [u]seek first [v]His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be [w]provided to you.

Seeking God first will grant you everything you need on earth and great riches in heaven.

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How does focusing on eternity help deal with suffering?

2 Corinthians 4:7

7 But we have this treasure in earthen containers, so that the extraordinary greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;

The weakness of our earthly bodies forces us to recognize God’s strength

2 Corinthians 4:17

17 For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,

Romans 8:18

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

The Greek word used here, doxa, points to the transformation of the body through resurrection (John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016))

Suffering is temporary and pales in comparison to eternal glory

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How does focusing on eternity help deal with death?

2 Samuel 12:23

23 But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I am going to him, but he will not return to me.”

Daniel 12:2

“Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.

Revelation 20:14-15

Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Matthew 8:11

“I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven;

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What about God’s promise of prosperity?

Jeremiah 29:11

11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

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Why is eternity so important?

Daniel 12:1

1 “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.

Revelation 20:14-15

Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.