God Over Money

Jesus’ death at Calvary did secure your eternal salvation. His death paid your ransom, washed your sin, cleared your name, redeemed you to the Father, secured your spot in Glory, and declared your just before God. His death opened doors to the promises of God that he declared in his work. His death did save you. His death, however, did not secure the bag. Jesus did not die for Gucci, Prada, Cadillac, Mercedies, Louis Vatoon, Akoo, Jordan, Nike. Jesus didn’t die for bitcoin, stocks bonds, mutual funds, escro, CDs.

I’m so glad he doesn’t forbid these things. But this is not why he died. Jesus prioritized the will of God over these things. Jesus could have (examples of wealthy Jesus) but he decided to prioritize God over prosessions. Even Jesus chose God over money.

1. Locate your Heart

Jesus uses the same root in both of these words, “store” and “treasure”. You could gentlemanly translate this as “don’t treasure your treasure”. We all have to deal with money. If you are wise and responsible you will save some money, but to treasure your money is something else. Jesus is not teaching against financial responsibility. Jesus is telling us to put money and possessions in its proper place. Here is the reason: money is finite. Money is temporary. It is here today and gone tomorrow. Wanna know, how I know. You’ve already spent your tax return. So why would be dedicate our time and lives dedicated to hoarding things? You will not be able to take anything with you when you die! Nothing follows you. “Where moth and rust destroy...” your possessions end up just like us decayed. And there is always the danger of it being taken from you.

On the contrary, Jesus says you can store up something in heaven that will be waiting on you when you get there. You don’t have to worry about it rusting, or being stolen by the enemy or family. It is eternally secure in heavens vault, and I’d like to think that the rewards we lay up in heaven are not just for later God will bless you now. We just talked about it last week. There are benefits for obedience for this life, Job said “I believe I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living”. (Preach)

The question then should be “How do i store treasures in heaven?” Throughout the NT we see crowns and rewards based on righteousness, serving, sharing the gospel, giving, and suffering. This is how you make eternal deposits.

All of this acts as a tracking device for your heart. Where you put your money is where your heart is, and where your heart is there you put your money. And no, I didn’t say that wrong, its two different things. On the one hand, if you invest in something you are going to want to see that investment returned (example). Then also, where your heart is, that is where you just so happen to spend the most money. Just check your bank statements (example).

2. Expose your Perspective

Jesus is a master teacher who was committed to utilizing the speech and ideas of His day. In this instance He employs an ancient idea that the eye actually emitted light whereby we could see. They believed that the wellness of your eye and your ability to was determined by the light you emitted. In Jesus case, he spiritualize it by suggesting that what your eye sees is determined by the light that is in you, so, how you look at possessions is determined by your perspective of it. If you are the type of person who sees it and has to have it all the time, you might need to change your perspective.

If you are a person of generosity, love, kindness, you don’t have any problem seeing possessions as useful and not as necessary. The accouterments and belongings are blessings, but having them and desiring more does not define who you are. I believe everyone should have nice things but you are not supposed to covet things that yo don’t have.

How you begin to view possessions begins and ends with what is on the inside of you.

3. Test your Devotion

At the end of the day. You are going to have to choose this day who you will serve. God or money. Jesus choice of words are specific and sharp. There is no one who can serve two masters. You are not able to be loyal to two. You will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. If your master is money, you will always be chasing something that is never satisfying. If God is your master, it just so happens that you will have access to what that master has which includes but is not limited to, money.

So Jesus says mammon, this was his way of deifying money in the sight of those who love it so much. He is literally saying that you will either have God as your God or money as your god. $.50 said, “get rich or die trying”

This is good point to make the case that I have been blessed with two jobs: both are a type of calling to serve people and teach. As a pastor and school teacher they are both ministries. We should see our places of employment as more than just 9-5’s, they are ministry opportunities. But, church I want you to know that as much as I like teaching, as much as I love pastoring, I wouldn’t be caught doing either one for free (preach). Don’t get it twisted, I don’t do it for the money, but I get money because I do it. The motive begins with me serving God, the result is compensation. You have got to change your devotion and loyalty to serving God and let God sort out the rest (Preach).

Close

Why would I serve money when I serve a God who supplies all of my needs? I want to know is there anybody here who found out that God was the source of your supply, of money and of more than your money. Because when you didn’t have money God made sure you didn’t go without what you needed. I know, I know, you’ve always had it together and always had enough money, but just for a second let me talk to the folk like me who had to rob Peter to pay Paul.

When you had more past due bills than you did money, God still made a way.

When they said the lights would be cut off on Monday but on Friday you still had power.

When you didn’t have enough money for surgery but God healed your body.

When you didn’t have enough money to go to school but God...

When gas prices are so high but God kept the light on a little longer.