Sermon Tone Analysis

All of Matthew 6 seems to be saying, “Look up!” when our natural tendency is to look at the world around us (see Col. 3:1–2).

Main Idea: God desires for His followers to invest in eternity.

Key Question: How are you investing in eternity?

1. Investments are different.

(v.

19-20)

The story is told of a man who made his wife promise that if He went first that she would put his fortune in his casket and bury it with him like the Pharoahs of Egypt did in the Pyramids.

She hesitantly made the promise.

When he died, she quickly moved all his assets into a joint-account with both his name and her name on the paperwork.

Just before his casket lid was closed and sealed, she placed a piece of paper on his chest.

When asked about the paper.

She told of the promise she made and revealed that the paper was a check for the full amount of their shared account.

She said if wherever he goes he can find a bank to accept that check, he will have full access to the treasure.

2. Investments are fruits of your time, ability and resources.

(v.

19-20)

Spiritual treasure should be defined as broadly as possible—as everything that believers can take with them beyond the grave—e.g., holiness of character, obedience to all of God’s commandments, souls won for Christ, and disciples nurtured in the faith.

In this context, however, storing up treasures focuses particularly on the compassionate use of material resources to meet others’ physical and spiritual needs, in keeping with the priorities of God’s kingdom (vv.

25–34; cf.

Luke 16:8–13).

Spiritual treasure should be defined as broadly as possible—as everything that believers can take with them beyond the grave—e.g., holiness of character, obedience to all of God’s commandments, souls won for Christ, and disciples nurtured in the faith.

In this context, however, storing up treasures focuses particularly on the compassionate use of material resources to meet others’ physical and spiritual needs, in keeping with the priorities of God’s kingdom (vv.

25–34; cf.

Luke 16:8–13).

3. Investments are revealing.

(v.

21)

acts