Counting the Cost - Where's Your Treasure?

Introduction: I love to hear stories about my parents when they were kids. I think those stories help to humanize our parents and helps us to see that they are just like us.

My mom used to tell this one story about her and my uncle. They were staying with my Aunt and bored. I mean they didn’t have the internet or phones. So they took my aunt’s jewelry box with all of her jewelry down to the local park and buried it. Then they drew a map for her to follow. You can probably imagine my great aunt’s face when she realized that all of her valuable were buried in the park. She likely doubted the accuracy of the map as well.

How anxious she must have been as she ran out of the house and down the street shovel in hand. She was probably so worried about her treasure.

For many of us, our treasure is in our homes, guarded by little chihuahua named biscuit or security systems. It’s in our driveway or garage guarded by viper. We depend on the police and government to protect our treasure....

Or we compare our treasure to other people’s treasure and want it.

Notice I’m saying treasure and not money. Because our wealth is so much more than our bank accounts.

How devistated we would be if we lost our cell phones or wrecked our car?

Many of us are living for the this 70 year more or less moment in time where we live on this earth…when we should be living for eternity.

Today we have that awkward time where we are going to talk about what Jesus says about money. The reason this is awkward is that too many pastors and churches have used the generous ignorance of others to get rich. other churches are constantly talking about how if you don’t give, we might not make budget or might have to let staff go. But today is new to me, because weren’t talking about giving to the church out of a sense of urgency, but out of an opportunity. What’s new is that I’m not talking about money in an act of desperation. Many pastors have to get up in front of their congregations and say, “if you don’t give, we close the doors.” That’s not going to happen here. The school and the preschool are doing so well and are so well run that we’re running $100,000+ surpluses every year. We give thousands of dollars to missions and things are great. God has invited us to use our worldly wealth to build His kingdom. I get to talk about how being generous and a good steward of each of our individual finances is a major part of becoming more like Jesus…when we become more like Jesus, we naturally begin to care about the things that He cares about and our money follows. But in the midst of our prosperity we can get lazy when it comes to talking about being a good steward of God’s resources. I can get lazy by not reminding you being generous and giving to the kingdom of God is not a biblical option. We are commanded to give both to the church and to the poor.

In fact the Bible speaks about money or wealth over a 1000 times.

Jesus spoke about more than he did about loving one another. He spoke more about money than the reality of heaven and hell combined. So if Jesus thought it important to talk about money, shouldn’t we take it seriously too.

Turn in you bible to .

Jesus wasn’t interested in making sure the kingdom was financed. He wasn’t making ends meet. Jesus knew that money, wealth and treasure had the power to divert our affections away from God. It has the power to corrupt our soul.

Jesus knew that where our treasure is, so our heart will be also.

But many of us worry about money. Actually statistics tell us that next to death, we worry about money mroe than anything esle. We worry if we’ll have enough. Some worry about whether we’ll have enough to pay rent. Others worry about whether they’ll have enough to retire early (or at all). As a dad of 3 girls I worry whether I’ll have enough to pay for 3 weddings. (At least the pastor’s free).

Jesus tells us that worry is what gets in the way of generousity. But the anditate to worry about our finances is not to accumulate more wealth, but to give it away.

So for this morning before we get into the text, this is the big idea of our passage. As we read see if you can see where Jesus tells us to cure worry with generosity.

luke 12:22-

Luke 12:22–34 ESV

22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Big Idea: Worry is worthless…God’s Kingdom is Worth it.

Let’s read.

Luke 12:22–30 ESV

22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

1. Worry is worthless. (22-30)

Explanation: This isn’t the only time that Jesus tells his followers that there is no reason for a follower of Jesus to worry about money. But it’s right here and plain.

Jesus gives 2 examples: the ravens and the lilies. One example is about survival and the second is about significance. God doesn’t let the Ravens starve. And even in all of his splendor, Solomon was never adorned as beautifully as one of the least of flowers.

Let’s be honest, those are the 2 things we fear the most. Survival and significance. And it’s doesn’t matter what time period you were born in, these pretty much sum up our anxiety about our lives.

One example is about survival and the second is about significance. God doesn’t let the Ravens starve. And even in all of his splendor, Solomon was never adorned as beautifully as one of the least of flowers.

Cheese Burger vs. Steak

Donkey vs. Camel

‘01 honda civic vs. Lamborgini.

vs. 24 reminds us that life is more than food and clothing. It’s more than survival or significance. Some of us need to read vs. 24 over and over again. We need to put it on our mirrors. Life is more than all of this, and what Jesus is driving at is that “life is more than the 70 years we spend on earth.

I love verse 25. Worrying doesn’t add a single hour to your life. Actually with the stress of worrying, we actually decrease our lives.

Illustration: Worrying doesn’t do any good. You might say that worry is worthless. My grandmother used to say that worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get anywhere.

Application: Now I am aware that this is easier said than done. We naturally worry about these things. And if we’re not worrying about them for ourselves, we’re worrying for our family.

But Jesus is firm. So don’t worry about these things what you will eat or what you will put on. Instead....there is a better way.

Let’s keep reading.

Luke 12:31–34 ESV

31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Luke

2. God’s Kingdom is worth it. (31-34)

Explanation: Now this is where things get good. You see, this isn’t a 5 step process for building wealth and preparing for retirement. This isn’t a don’t worry, have faith and God will make you rich. This is a proclamation of total acknowledgement that not everything in this world will carry over into the next. So don’t worry about those things that have no lasting value.

****Now let me make a disclaimer. I don’t think God is scrutinizing everything little thing you buy. I don’t think He’s looking over your shoulder saying…oh another starbucks this week…imagine all the kids in africa that money would help feed. I do believe that God wants us to enjoy life. However, I do think that God has reserved 10% of your treasure for himself. So if you say you can’t invest your 10% in the kingdom of God, you have to ask why? It’s usually not because you need to pay your rent. It’s usually not the survival things like the raven. It’s usually the significance part lilies. The clothes you wear, the new phone you think you deserve. Eating out whenever you want. God wants you to enjoy life, but not at the expense of your part in building up His kingdom.

Now do you need to immediately start giving 10%? If you can then go for it. But if you can’t, then start somewhere. And then over the next year, restructure your life so that you can give more. Let’s not be legalistic here. God loves a cheerful giver. But don’t say, because it’s too hard to give, and I’m not joyful, that I won’t give. God still expects you to give.

But just imagine a world where Christiansd determined to live on 90% of their income, maybe we wouldn’t have to have world hunger. Churches and ministries would fully funded. Ministries spreading the gospel. Ministries feeding the poor. The Kingdom of God would be on earth as it is in heaven. But many of us feel like our small 10% isn’t enough to make a difference. Certainly not by itself, but when we put all of our money together, God can change the world.

Now again, God doens’t need your money, but he has invited you to be a part of His plan and His Kingdom. And where your treasure is, I’ll show you where your heart is.

Illustration: Amanda and I took the girls to the SF Zoo this past Friday. We love the zoo because of the animals. One of the things that I noticed is that most of the exhibits are named in honor of someone, who likely gave a lot of money. Now, there is nothing wrong with that don’t get me wrong…but you don’t tend to get things named after you when you give to the kingdom of God. We don’t give to get recognition or buy influence. We give that God’s name might be made known and his glory might shine forth.

Seek God’s kingdom above all else. Don’t accumulate wealth at the expense of God’s Kingdom.

We spend so much time deciding whether or not a purchase or investment is worth it. God’s kingdom is a worthy cause.

So what is God’s kingdom?

Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology Kingdom of God

Kingdom of God. The heart of Jesus’ teachings centers around the theme of the kingdom of God. This expression is found in sixty-one separate sayings in the Synoptic Gospels. Counting parallels to these passages, the expression occurs over eighty-five times. It also occurs twice in John (3:3, 5). It is found in such key places as the preaching of John the Baptist, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matt. 3:2); Jesus’ earliest announcement, “The time has come.… The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15; cf. Matt. 4:17; Luke 4:42–43); the prayer Jesus taught his disciples, “your kingdom come” (Matt. 6:10); in the Beatitudes, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3, 10); at the Last Supper, “I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God” (Mark 14:25); and in many of Jesus’ parables (Matt. 13:24, 44, 45, 47; Mark 4:26, 30; Luke 19:11).

It was once popular in certain circles to argue that the expressions “kingdom of God” and “kingdom of heaven” referred to two different realities. It is now clear, however, that they are synonyms. This is evident for several reasons. For one, the two expressions are used in the same sayings of Jesus, but where Matthew uses “kingdom of heaven,” Mark or Luke or both use “kingdom of God.” Second, Matthew himself uses these two expressions interchangeably in 19:23–24, “it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven … for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Finally, we know that “heaven” was frequently used as a circumlocution for “God” by devout Jews. Due to respect for the third commandment (“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God” [Exod. 20:7]), pious Jews used various circumlocutions for the sacred name of God (YHWH) in order to avoid the danger of breaking this commandment. One such circumlocution was the term “heaven.” This is seen in the expression “kingdom of heaven” but also in such passages as Luke 15:18, 21 (“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you”) and Mark 11:30.

The truth is that the Kingdom of God is the realm of God’s sovereignty. It’s not of this world and likely awaits the fullness of it in the eternal state. But the point is that we can take nothing with us into God’s kingdom except one thing....other people. We should put the full weight of our resources into getting people into heaven. Whatever barriers that are in their way, we remove them? They need food, we give them food and the gospel. They need water, we give them water and the gospel. They need shoes, clothes, a car to get to work, a cell phone or just help. We give them what they need…and the gospel.

The Bible does say that pastors should be supported by the people.

The ministries of the church are to be supported.

Anything that brings glory to God. Give generously.

Application: Invest in the kingdom of God. You may not have everything that you want, but God will provide everything you need to bring glory to Him.

vs. 33 is a hard verse for us to read. And I feel that it goes beyond the call to be generous…to actually being sacrificial.

Later on in Acts the early church leaders would talk about how this type of sacrificial love and generosity should be primarily for the local church.

Tithing is an old testament concept, where you give 10% of your income, whether you grew crops, raised livestock or made money, that seems to have been adopted by the early church as a minimum. Many others were just selling their possessions and dropping the proceeds at the feet of the apostles.

The early church was the poor and needy.

It doesn’t have to be money. Give away stuff. I’m not talking about your junk you don’t want anymore or that can of lima beans that you know you’ll never eat.

Give gifts and blessings, not leftovers.

Application:

Now I know that this is not easy for everyone. Giving one percent can be difficult.

Now you might say that I don’t want to give to the church, I want to give directly to people. The great thing about North Hills is that all of our expenses are already covered. Giving to North Hills means almost all of your money goes directly to ministry.

Challenge: Be sacrificial with your treasure this week.

If you aren’t tithing…maybe try calculating what 10 percent of your income would be, divide it by 52 weeks and determine to give that next week. If you aren’t giving to the church at all…that’s where you should start.

If you are a faithful tither, maybe you take a step up and give a dollar a day to our mission fund which goes to support missions all around the world.

Maybe give directly to the poor, but remember to be wise.

Don’t forget to do it without compulsion and with no expectation of return.

On the listening guide, over the next few weeks, in leu of questions for reflection, I’m going to give you Challenges to accept. and to make it serious, think of it as a contract between you and God. I’ll never see these and you don’t have to show them to anyone. Though please, if you’re married and about to make a decision that might cause friction....talk about it first.

Let’s go back to idea of a treasure map. Let’s imagine for a minute that you were drawing a map to your treasure. Where would your map lead? To your house? To a bank in Switzerland?

What would it look like to know your treasure’s in heaven? What changes might you need to make to see that happen.

10%?

Let’s spend some time praying. Will you accept the challenge from God’s word? What steps are ready to take to build God’s kingdom in your own life.