No man can serve two masters

Matthew 6:19–24 KJV 1900

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Review: vs 1-4: Giving in Secret vs 5-15: Praying in Secret vs 16-18: Fasting in Secret

Introduction: Terms to define: Lay- “To store away, or invest.” Treasures - “Wealth accumulated, assets.”

Your assets are personal. (Secret- Not public knowledge)

Typically, you don’t ask a farmer how many acres he farms. You don’t ask a rancher how many heads of cattle he owns. You don’t ask anyone how much is in their bank account.

What you do with your wealth is your own business! (Unsolicited advice is rarely taken to heart)

You’re only responsible for what you have. (Not what you don’t have.)

Jesus explains the Christian philosophy of properly investing your treasure.

1. Earthly treasure is a necessary part of life.

Wages are expected for labor. Genesis 29:15 “And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?”

Providing for your family is biblical. 1 Timothy 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

Leaving or receiving an inheritance is a good thing! Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.”

Treasure is needed for the ministry. Philippians 4:15-19

Philippians 4:15–19 KJV 1900

Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

2. Earthly treasure is unstable.

Famine an pestilence is common on this sin cursed earth. Psalm 78:46 “He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, And their labour unto the locust.”

Sinful man will steal! Exodus 20:15 “Thou shalt not steal.”

Earthly treasure is ensalving. Proverbs 22:7 “The rich ruleth over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.”

All earthly treasure will be dissolved one day. 2 Peter 3:10-13

2 Peter 3:10–13 KJV 1900

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

3. Earthly treasure can be used for Heavenly good!

It is safe and secure! Matthew 6:20 “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:”

4. The heart of the issue is the issue of the heart.

Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Luke 21:1–4 KJV 1900

And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

The text is not saying “put your treasure here, and your heart will follow.” It is saying, “Where you put your treasure REVEALS where your heart is.” You have time for what you want to have time for! You have money for what you want to have money for! ***God doesn’t want your ten percent… He wants the other 90… And the wallet… He wants you!

***** I know for a fact many in this church already live by this doctrine. I could even give examples, but then that would defeat the purpose of giving all of the glory to God. ***** But, let’s all examine ourselves, not each other, by asking these next two questions:

Conclusion:

1. Do you see clearly?

Matthew 6:22–23 KJV 1900

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

Luke 11:33–36 KJV 1900

No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

Are you looking to Christ and His Gospel for your salvation?

Are you looking to Christ and His Kingdom with your treasure?

2. Who are you serving?

Matthew 6:24 KJV 1900

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Who has your heart? Matthew 6:21

Matthew 6:21 KJV 1900

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

***** There is a less than 1 % chance that your children will become professional athletes. There is a slim chance that you will become a multimillionaire. But there is a 100% chance that you, and your children, will one day stand before Jesus Christ!

Does He have your heart?