What's Your Treasure?

Matthew 6:21 ESV

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

Introduction:

Thesis/ Central Idea:

Treasure has at best only short-term benefit but can bring spiritual dangers. Spiritual treasure is of eternal value and comes from knowing and serving God.

The limitations of accumulated treasure

It is easily lost

Isaiah 64:11 ESV

11 Our holy and beautiful house, where our fathers praised you, has been burned by fire, and all our pleasant places have become ruins.

See also 2 Ki 24:13; Je 15:13; Je 17:3; Je 20:5; La 1:10–11; Ho 13:15; Ob 6; Mt 6:19; Jas 5:2–3; Re 18:14

It is no security against God’s displeasure

Proverbs 11:4 ESV

4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

See also Job 20:20; Je 51:13; Eze 7:19; Ho 9:6; Zep 1:18; Lk 12:16–21

It does not satisfy

Ecclesiastes 5:10 ESV

10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.

See also Ps 39:6; Hag 1:6

The spiritual dangers of accumulated treasure

It can lead to pride

1 Timothy 6:17 ESV

17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

See also Dt 8:13–14; Eze 7:20; Eze 28:4–5; Da 4:30

It can lead a person away from God

Revelation 3:17 ESV

17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

See also Job 31:24–25; Job 31:28; Pr 11:28

It can lead to greed; dishonesty; idolatry

Luke 12:15 ESV

15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

See also greed 1 Ti 6:9–10

See also for dishonesty Jos 7:21; Ps 62:10; Pr 21:6

See also for idolatry Ex 32:2–4; Is 2:7–8; Eze 7:20; Eze 16:17

Spiritual treasure

Treasure consists in knowing God and his wisdom

Colossians 2:2–3 ESV

2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

See also Job 28:12–19; Pr 2:4; Pr 3:13–15; Pr 8:10–11; Pr 24:3–4; Is 33:6

God’s Word and Kingdom is supreme treasure

Job 23:12; Ps 19:9–10; Ps 119:72; Ps 119:127

Psalm 119:72 ESV

72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Matthew 13:44 ESV

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

See also Mt 13:45–46; Mt 13:52

Spiritual treasure is more important than material possessions it is of eternal value

Hebrews 11:26 ESV

26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.

See also Job 22:23–25; Mt 13:44–46

Luke 12:33 ESV

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.

See also Mt 6:20; 1 Pe 1:4

Conclusion:

Invitation:

Hear - Romans 10:17  "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Believe - John 8:24 "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins."Repent - Luke 13:3  "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Confess - Romans 10:10  "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."Be Baptized - Acts 2:38  "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."