GOSPEL OF MATTHEW - WHERE IS YOUR TREASURE?

Matthew 6:19-24 - What master do you serve and what treasure are you seeking?

Matthew chapter 5 the sermon on the mount Jesus taught about our relationship with others  and then chapter 6 begins with our relationship with the Father – Giving, Prayer and then last week we talked about Fasting and was in staunch contrast to the behaviors and attitudes of the Pharisees and scribes and Jesus called us to a righteousness greater than theirs.  Now as we begin to finish up chapter 6 and get into 7 there is a more direct approach that deals with attitudes, that if we possessed, would demonstrate this greater righteousness.

Today’s message about treasure Jesus demands us to detach ourselves from material concerns and focus on our loyalty to God, so as we begin, let us pray!

Sermon Title:

"Where Your Treasure Is"

Big Idea:

What you treasure shapes what you see and whom you serve—your heart always follows your highest value.

Matthew 6:19–24 (ESV)

““Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Point 1: Your Treasure Reveals Your Heart

Scripture: Matthew 6:19–21

““Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Illustration:

A man spends thousands on collectible cars but gives almost nothing to causes that outlast this life. His spending tells the story of his values more clearly than his words ever could.

Key Idea:

What you invest in—your time, energy, and money—reveals where your heart truly resides.

vv19-20 really sum up the first 18 verses dealing with giving, fasting and prayer – all a heart issue

Command – do not store do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth that will be destroyed – is of no value

To accumulate is in our nature – one of biggest business in America is self-storage units

We store up in heaven thru our obedience to God and what He calls us to do – obedience in all areas of our life – be heaven minded in all that we do

Colossians 3:2 – “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Focused on earthly gain is to not be focused on God – obedience is what is requested.

1 Samuel 15:22 – Samuel said, “Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.

Whatever is in crosshairs – the scope – that is what we are focused on – that is where the heart goes

Proverbs 4:23 – “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Jesus said the same – where your treasure is – there you heart will be also!

Application Questions:

1. What does my use of time and money say about my priorities?

2. Am I investing in what is eternal or what is temporary?

3. What "treasures" might be distracting me from treasuring Christ?

Point 2: Your Focus Determines Your Direction

Scripture: Matthew 6:22–23

““The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!”

Illustration:

A pilot flying through fog must rely on instruments rather than feelings to stay on course. A distracted focus can cause spiritual crash landings.

Key Idea:

The heart is the center of affection and commitment – the eye enables the whole person to see and is the doorway to the heart – what do we allow in?

What captures your attention ultimately controls your direction.

If what you focus your eyes on is healthy – you will be healthy – be filled with light

But

If what you focus on is unhealthy – you will not be healthy and be filled with darkness

Darkness and light cannot co-exist – light pushes darkness out – what are you focusing on?

The evil eye in ancient times was a covetous eye, a hoarding eye, greedy eye

If the light in you is darkness – how great the darkness (expand on)

Supporting Scriptures:

Hebrews 12:2 – “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith…”

Psalm 119:37 – “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.”

Application Questions:

1. What am I consistently focused on throughout my day?

2. How does that focus affect my spiritual, emotional, and relational direction?

3. What would it take to shift my gaze more consistently toward Christ?

Point 3: Your Master Defines Your Life

Scripture: Matthew 6:24

““No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Illustration:

Imagine trying to follow two GPS directions at once—one tells you to turn left, the other right. Divided allegiance leads to confusion and misdirection.

Key Idea:

You can only have one ultimate loyalty—everything else competes with your devotion to God.

Cannot serve 2 masters – slave to one reject the other –

Serve here literally means to be a slave to – slave to the world or slave to God – which Master is better?

Love and hate in semitic stories often refer to – to choose or not choose

Can have 2 jobs but not 2 owners

You cannot chase earthly treasures/rewards and then decide when you hit a mark – you will serve God

John D Rockefeller quote

Luke 12:16-21

Jesus proclaims that unless we are willing to serve him wholeheartedly in every area of life, but particularly with our material resources, we cannot claim to be serving him at all

Supporting Scriptures:

Joshua 24:15 – “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve,

Choose this day whom you will serve…”

Romans 6:16 – “Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?”

Application Questions:

1. What am I truly serving with my life—God, money, success, approval?

2. Where am I trying to live a divided life instead of a surrendered one?

3. What do I need to release in order to serve God wholeheartedly?

Closing Thought:

You can’t treasure the temporary and the eternal at the same time. Where your treasure is, your heart will be. Where your eyes are fixed, your life will follow. And whom you serve will shape who you become. Choose your treasure71198

. Choose your focus. Choose your Master—and find the freedom of a life fully aligned with the Kingdom of God.

In Matthew 6:19–24, Jesus challenges us to examine where our true loyalty lies by calling attention to our treasure, our focus, and our master. This passage reminds us that what we treasure most will ultimately shape our hearts, determine the direction of our lives, and reveal whom we truly serve.

Through three powerful teachings—on storing treasure in heaven, keeping a healthy spiritual focus, and choosing God over money—Jesus exposes the dangers of divided devotion. Whether it's wealth, image, or comfort, anything we place above God distorts our vision and distracts our hearts from eternal purpose.

God’s message urges us to re-align our affections with Kingdom values. When we treasure Christ above all, fix our eyes on Him, and serve Him alone, we step into a life of freedom, purpose, and lasting reward.

Let us pray!