Seek the Greatest Treasures [Matt. 6:19-34]

Text: Matthew 6:19-34

Text: Matthew 6:19–34

Main Idea:

To understand that the treasures of this world fade, but the treasures of heaven last forever; and to challenge believers to seek God’s kingdom first in every area of life.

Introduction:

There’s a difference between making a living and making a life. Many of us have been taught to chase after the next dollar, the next opportunity, the next material blessing — but Jesus reminds us here that life is more than what we can store in a bank, a closet, or a garage.

Our people know what it is to be denied earthly treasures — land, wealth, opportunity — yet we’ve also known how to value the treasure that can’t be stolen: faith, hope, and God’s promises.

As Grandma used to say, “Baby, you can’t take it with you.” But if you send it up ahead — in service, love, and obedience — you’ll have a treasure that will meet you in glory.

Point 1 – Store Up Treasures in Heaven, Not Earth

Text (vv. 19–21) – Jesus says, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

BEI Insight:

Earthly treasures are subject to moth, rust, and thieves.

Heavenly treasures are eternal, secure, and untouchable.

While many people believe that amassing earthly treasures will give us happiness and security, experience has proven otherwise. Because earthly treasures are made of materials that come from the earth, they like ourselves are subject to the natural forces that eventually devalue them. Those who are wealthy stay concerned about thieves because of the these temporary treasures!!

Whatever is true of earthly treasures, the opposite is true of heavenly treasures. These cannot be stolen, eaten or decayed by the natural elements of this earth!!

When we serve Christ thru helping others and support the causes that promote kingdom building, we then are laying up value and resources in the heavenly things! Saints, according to Jesus, your decisions about where your time talents, and money goes really speaks to where and what your heart values, because “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also!!!” Jesus presses us to examine what we hold near and dear: where we invest time and energy?

Application:

Earthly treasure can be lost in a fire, a stock market crash, or a bad decision — but the treasure you send to heaven through service, giving, and obedience will never fade.

Cultural Connection:

Our ancestors, denied financial wealth, passed down spiritual wealth — a faith that crossed oceans and endured chains. They built churches before they could build houses, because they understood where the true treasure lies.

Illustration:

A wealthy man dies. At his funeral, someone whispers, “How much did he leave?” The answer: “All of it.” That’s the reality for all of us — only what we do for Christ will last.

Point 2 – Keep Your Eyes Clear and Your Heart Focused

Text (vv. 22–23) – “The light of the body is the eye…”

BEI Insight:

In Jewish thought, the “eye” represented perspective and focus. A clear (single) eye meant devotion to God; an unhealthy eye meant a divided, selfish focus. If we have a problem with our eyes where we can’t see or won’t see the glorious God, or if are eyes are clouded by the world’s riches and materialism, our whole body is affected!!! Because our when our vision is out of whack, we bump into things and may end up walking off a cliff!!!

Application:

If your vision is blurred by greed, envy, or materialism, you can’t walk in the light. But if your eyes are fixed on God’s kingdom, your whole life will be illuminated by His purpose.

Cultural Connection:

The African American church has always been a place to refocus vision — a place where weary eyes from the week’s struggles are lifted to see hope again. From brush arbor meetings to storefront churches, our people have learned to “keep our eyes on the prize.”

Illustration:

Think of a runner in a race. If they keep looking around at other lanes, they slow down. But when they keep their eyes forward, they reach the finish line strong. Spiritually, we must do the same.

Point 3 – Choose Your Master Wisely

Text (v. 24) – “No man can serve two masters…”

To devote oneself to worldly wealth is to put oneself at odds with God and His will for our lives!!!

BEI Insight:

You cannot give full loyalty to both God and money (Mammon). One will always win your devotion.

Application:

Many of us try to straddle the fence — we want to serve God but also be enslaved to material success. But Jesus says that split loyalty is impossible.

Cultural Connection:

In slavery days, some masters tried to control faith, giving enslaved people “slave Bibles” with Exodus removed — but our people chose God as Master over any human authority, singing “I got a crown, you got a crown, all God’s children got a crown…” as an act of holy defiance.

Point 4 – Seek First the Kingdom, and God Will Handle the Rest

Text (vv. 25–34) – Jesus says don’t be anxious about food, drink, clothing. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Saints, did you know that our God knows what we need, before we do and will supply our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus!!! Outside of ants and squirrels, we are the only ones of God’s creation that prepare, save, and worry about our nourishment, shelter, and day to day life!!!! Come on now, how many beside myself spend serious time trying to make that paycheck math to get groceries, pay bills and try a live a semblance of life? We all do it!!! We do have reason to give thought about these things considering our current situation in this country right now—but we need to remember the God we serve not only provides for the birds in the air, and the grass of the fields, HE PROVIDES FOR US!!!! HE IS JEHOVAH -JIREH!!! Where is the faith in the One who said He will never leave us or forsake us???!!!

As a therapist, it breaks my heart hearing of all the anxieties and worries that are plaguing people over the day to day stuff; over money, over career, over finding a suitable partner, over wanting to get married or to have a child! We need to know that we have so many promises in God’s word that are tried and true that we can depend on!!!

BEI Insight:

Worry distracts us from trusting God. The Father knows what we need before we ask.

What we pursue the most, tells us more about ourselves than perhaps anything else we do. After all, it is our pursuits that reveal our hearts. Jesus said, ‘where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’ It means that our resources and energies will be devoted to what we value.

First and foremost we are to seek the kingdom of God. If we seek His righteousness, and above all if we seek Him, we will know what it is to be truly acknowledged and recognized, for He will be a loving Father to us. Our desire for attention will be satisfied in a godly way. Because of sin, there will always be the threat of separation; but thanks be to God, when we seek our loving God, thru our wonderful Savior, that we come to know the full forgiveness and acceptance that we can be free from seeking the empty validation from man!!! The realest relationship we can have, is that with our God!!! He is the only one who can keep us secure!! He is the one who comforts and keeps us!! He is the One who calls us His own!! We don’t need to clutch desperately to our possessions, for He will be our sufficiency. The peace of security that no one or thing can supply on earth!! There won’t be a need to worry about our lives and be consumed by the worries of this world. Because when we seek Jesus first, and His kingdom, we get that and a whole lot more!!!

Application:

Prioritizing God’s will, service, and obedience puts us in position to receive what we need — not always what we want, but always enough.

Cultural Connection:

Through sharecropping poverty, through segregated schools, through economic inequality — the testimony of our elders was the same: “God made a way for me.” When you seek His kingdom first, you’ll find He’s already working on your behalf.

Illustration:

The story is told of a little boy who walked with his father through a store. He carried nothing because he trusted Daddy would handle it. We, too, can walk through life hands-free when our Father is carrying our needs.

Conclusion:

Jesus is teaching us the same truth the African American church has preached for generations:

Earthly treasures fade — heavenly treasures remain.

Clear vision leads to holy living.

You can only have one true Master.

Seek God’s kingdom first, and everything else will follow.

Call to Action:

Church, let’s stop chasing what can be taken and start investing in what can’t be lost. Let’s pass on to the next generation not just property or possessions, but a passion for God’s kingdom.

Store your treasure in heaven through acts of love.

Keep your spiritual vision sharp by focusing on God’s will.

Choose God over Mammon every day.

Seek His kingdom before you seek anything else.

Final Charge: Only what you do for Christ will last. So, seek the greatest treasure — and watch God supply everything you truly need.