Treasures in Heaven - 3

Sermon on the Mount - 55

Matthew 6:19–24 (NIV84)

19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.

23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24“No one can serve two masters. 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 both God and Money.

Do store up = θησαυρίζω thēsaurizō 8x = from thēsaurós (2344), treasure. To lay, store or treasure up goods for future use.

Treasures = θησαυρός thēsauros = treasure (wealth): accumulated wealth in the form of money, jewels, or other valuables.

Store up (θησαυρίζω thēsaurizō) appears eight times is Scripture.

Five of the occurrences are warnings.

Three are instructions about financial stewardship.

One of the three carries a condemnatory tone but describes a completed action rather than a warning against future behavior.

Matthew 6:19-20 are the first two instances of thēsau-rizō. The rest of the occurrences appear in the following Scriptures.

Luke 12:21 (NIV84)

21“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”

The rich fool who stored up things for himself but was not rich toward God.

Romans 2:5 (NIV84)

5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

Thēsaurizō (you are storing up) here refers to storing something up for future judgment.

2 Peter 3:7 (NIV84)

7By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Thēsaurizō (reserved) describes how the present heavens and earth are “being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”

1 Corinthians 16:2 (NIV84)

2On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

Saving it up = θησαυρίζω thēsaurizō = store it up, esv; emphasizes a positive instructions about financial stewardship for the collection.

2 Corinthians 12:14 (NIV84)

14Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

Thēsaurizō here refers to parental responsibility rather than issuing a warning.

James 5:3 (NIV84)

3Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.

Thēsaurizō here condemns the hoarding of wealth, which is “the godless, selfish accumulation of goods—heaping up possessions and savings beyond the ability to enjoy or spend them.”

The majority of these instances underscore a consistent concern about misplaced priorities.

As we go through each these occurrences in more detail, let’s ask ourselves,

“What are we storing up for our future?”

“Where are we storing up those things?”

These verses stress where the valuable treasure is being stored. Stop treating earth as your storehouse.

When you place your valuables in an unsafe storage facility, you can incur moths, rust, and thieves.

The only safe storage is in heaven.

Last week, we also covered the topic of offerings in the church, which we’ll briefly review.

“Concerning the Collection”

1 Corinthians 16:1–4 (NIV84)

1Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do.

2On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

3Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.

4If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

Collection = λογεία logeia 2x (only here and verse 2) = the act of collecting contributions, especially those involving voluntary response.

On Sunday, “the first day of every week,” each person should “set aside a sum of money in keeping with [his or her] income” (1 Cor 16:2). Each person was to reserve an amount of money that was appropriate, and then present it as a form of worship on Sunday.

The amount of money per person was not recommended, nor was an amount demanded (as the tithe is often construed).

2 Corinthians 8:7–8, 12 (NIV84)

7But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Grace = the manifested Presence of God.

The manifested presence of God, expressed through His grace, was evident in the Corinthians’ faith, speech, knowledge, and in their complete earnestness and love for the apostles.

They were being urged to allow that same excellence of God’s grace be displayed in the way that they gave.

8I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

Sincerity = γνήσιος gnēsios = the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech (the absence of affectation or pretense).

Giving is a natural response of love.

2Co 8:12For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

They are to give from what they have. They are not to go out and borrow money in order to give. [Don’t use a credit card as a means of donating to a ministry, unless you pay it off every month.] It isn’t a matter of amount. If the enthusiasm is present, then the gift is acceptable.

The standard by which God would judge their contribution would be how much they gave in relation to how much they had; not simply how much they gave. God does not expect us to give what we do not have.

Don’t worry about giving what you don’t have. Just do what you can.

Many are they who don’t think anything about giving a fifteen to twenty percent tip to a restaurant server, yet balk at the idea of giving even ten percent to the work of God.

2 Corinthians 9:6–8 (AMP)

6[Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.

7Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving].

8And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].

Selah.

What are some other things that people store up besides wealth?

Stubborn & Unrepentant

Romans 2:1 (NIV84)

1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

Pass judgment; you judge = κρίνω krinō = pass an unfavorable judgment upon, criticize, find fault with, condemn.

It is used not merely for official judgment but also for personal judgments on others.

Luke 6:37 (NIV84)

37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Do the same things. Anyone who condemns others for things he himself does, condemns himself.

R.C. Sproul: If I pronounce a judgment against another person, I am announcing that I believe his behavior is wrong. If I condemn others for it, I must also condemn it in myself.

It seems to be a universal human failing to see others more clearly than we see ourselves.

Context of this verse: The Jews had pronounced all Gentiles to be born in sin and under condemnation. In their eyes, the Jews were the righteous ones; the Gentiles were not.

They considered themselves to be a privileged people and did not think that they were under the same condemnation and wrath of God.

The Jew is ready enough to judge the Gentile. But he forgets that the same principle on which the Gentile is condemned, namely, that he does evil in spite of better knowledge, condemns him also.

As to the words “You who judge, do the same things,”

James Denney (1856-1917): says, “Not, you do the identical actions, but your conduct is the same, i.e., you sin against light. The sin of the Jews was the same, but their sins were not.”

Christians must take care that they don’t do the same: judging unbelievers by a standard that they themselves don’t keep.

Luke 18:9–12 (NIV84)

9To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:

10“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.

12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

Looked down on = ἐξουθενέω exoutheneō = to show by one’s attitude or manner of treatment that an entity has no merit or worth.

Despised, viewed with contempt, regarded with contempt, treated with contempt, made nothing of, and scorned are some of the ways different Bible translations rendered the words looked down on.

“I thank you, God, that I am so holy and good, that I never need your grace, but I find so much in myself that I have kept the law. And you cannot accuse me of anything, and I have deserved so much, that you are bound to repay and reward me again for it in time and in eternity, if you would keep your own honor, and be a just and truthful God.”

The Pharisee was unaware that his righteousness was like filthy rags, and that he was in danger of God’s wrath and judgment.

Romans 2:2 (NIV84)

2Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.

Based on truth. All of God’s evaluations are according to truth, and he makes no mistakes when he hears a case. There is no possibility of an error in the proceedings, and the final judgment that God renders is absolutely right and completely in accord with the truth.

It does not matter who is committing these sins [as described in Romans 1:18-32].

God is an equal opportunity judge.

His judgment is not based on race, sex, education, marriage status, or any other such incidental.

It is “based on truth” or objective facts, not on subjective feelings, personal preferences, or favoritism.

In judgment it is not nationality or privilege that matters, but deeds.

Man makes judgments based on the evidence they have. That evidence may be true, or it could be tainted, which could render the judgment imperfect.

God judges perfectly; His evidence is complete, perfect and true.

God’s judgment of men is not according to hearsay, gossip, our own good opinions, or man’s evaluations; it is “according to truth.”

How easy it is for people today, as in Paul’s day, to condemn others, yet have the very same sins in their own lives.

Romans 2:3–4 (NIV84)

3So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?

See comments for verse two.

4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?

Do you show contempt = καταφρονέω kataphroneō = despise, treat with contempt, look down on; think nothing of, disregard.

Kindness = χρηστός chrēstos = the quality of being warmhearted, considerate, humane, gentle, and sympathetic.

Tolerance = ἀνοχή anochē = a holding back, delay; self-restraint, forbearance.

God shows forbearance in that He holds back the judgment the world deserves.

God’s mercy, kindness, and longsuffering is delaying rightful judgment. Mankind is not to take God’s delay in dealing with sin as a sign that He is uninterested or that man is innocent.

Psalm 50:16–23 (ESV)

16But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to recite my statutes or take my covenant on your lips?

Wicked = רָשָׁע rasha = denotes the negative behavior of evil thoughts, words and deeds, a behavior not only contrary to God’s character, but also hostile to the community and which at the same time betrays (archaic, reveals) the inner disharmony and unrest of a man.

Psalm 10:4 (NIV84)

4 In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

17For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you.

18If you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you keep company with adulterers.

19“You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit.

20You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son.

21These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.

Silence ≠ Approval

22“Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver!

23The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”

The silence of God and delay of judgment on the wicked, led the people to believe that God was like one of them.

God’s silence made them think He approved of what they were doing. They mistook His patience for permission and assumed He shared their values.

Romans 2:5 (NIV84)

5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

Storing up wrath. This [person] is accumulating more and more divine wrath against himself as one accumulates a great treasure; he is hoarding it so that none of this wrath will fail to descend upon his head.

The amount of this treasure of wrath he makes as large as possible.

Since the amount corresponds with “the hardness and impenitent heart,” he is as hard and as impenitent as he can be.

Each day that the self-righteous person persists in his self-righteousness God adds more guilt to his record. God will judge him one day.

This judgment is in contrast to the judgment that the self-righteous person passes on himself when he considers himself guiltless (v. 1).

Romans 2:6–11 (NLT)

6He will judge everyone according to what they have done.

7He will give eternal life to those who keep on (who by persistence, niv84) doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.

Persistence = ὑπομονή hypomonē = capacity to continue to bear up under difficult circumstances.

8But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness.

9There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.

10But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.

11For God does not show favoritism.

These verses are dealing God’s basis for judgment, not salvation. We are saved by faith, not works.

1 John 2:24–25 (NIV84)

24See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.

25And this is what he promised us—even eternal life.

Selah.