Matthew 6:19-24 A Healthy Portfolio

Intro:

I did the celebration of life service for the mother of some dear friends

This lady lived an amazing life

She was a school principal, active in the community, and beloved grandma

The funeral was packed with the who’s who of the education community in SM

There were retired school superintendents, principals, teachers

The place was packed

She was loved by everyone

But it was one of those funerals I wasn’t sure of her eternal destination

She had everything the world said was a success

You are told from the time you are a young child to put away for retirement

Even scripture says that a wise father puts something away for his children’s children

Over the las few years people have seen their investment portfolio’s bring healthy returns

Jesus addresses the issue of having a healthy portfolio, but as you can expect it’s not what you hear on commercials

Jesus wants us to have a healthy portfolio

That starts with having a spiritually healthy heart, vision, and mind

Read Matthew 6:19-21

Transition

We are accustomed to dividing life into the “spiritual” and the “material”; but Jesus made no such division.

In many of His parables, He made it clear that a right attitude toward wealth is a mark of true spirituality

The Pharisees were covetous (Luke 16:14) and used religion to make money.

If we have the true righteousness of Christ in our lives, then we will have a proper attitude toward material wealth.

I. Healthy Heart vs. 19-21

Having a healthy heavenly portfolio starts with having a healthy heart

Jesus tells his disciples not to lay up treasures on earth

Does this mean we aren’t to save or have nice things?

vs. 19-20 Store Up the Right Treasures

Jesus wants us to store up the right treasures

We spend a lot of time accumulating stuff

We research what’s the best product, we scour the internet for the best prices, and then read all of the reviews

All for something that is going to be forgotten about once we are on to the next item we want to buy

1 Timothy 6:9 ESV

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

Jesus tells us to lay up treasures in heaven

What does it mean to lay up treasures in heaven?

It means to use all that we have for the glory of God. It means to “hang loose” when it comes to the material things of life.

It also means measuring life by the true riches of the kingdom and not by the false riches of this world.

vs. 21 Where’s Your Heart?

Nowhere did Jesus magnify poverty or criticize the legitimate getting of wealth.

God made all things, including food, clothing, and precious metals.

God has declared that all things He has made are good (Gen. 1:31).

God knows that we need certain things in order to live (Matt. 6:32).

In fact, He has given us “richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17).

It is not wrong to possess things, but it is wrong for things to possess us.

The sin of idolatry is dangerous

Hebrews 13:5 ESV

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Jesus warned against the sin of living for the things of this life.

He pointed out the sad consequences of covetousness and idolatry

II. Healthy Mind vs. 22-23

Having a healthy heavenly portfolio means having a healthy mind

vs. 22 Healthy Eye

Wealth not only enslaves the heart, but it also enslaves the mind

God’s Word often uses the eye to represent the attitudes of the mind.

If the eye is properly focused on the light, the body can function properly in its movements.

But if the eye is out of focus and seeing double, it results in unsteady movements.

It is most difficult to make progress while trying to look in two directions at the same time.

If our aim in life is to get material gain, it will mean darkness within.

But if our outlook is to serve and glorify God, there will be light within.

If what should be light is really darkness, then we are being controlled by darkness; and outlook determines outcome

vs. 23 Unhealthy Eye

III. Healthy Will vs. 24

Finally, having a healthy heavenly portfolio means having a healthy will

vs. 24a Love Hate Relationship

Materialism can enslave the will (Matt. 6:24).

We cannot serve two masters simultaneously.

Either Jesus Christ is our Lord, or money is our lord.

It is a matter of the will. “But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare” (1 Tim. 6:9).

If God grants riches, and we use them for His glory, then riches are a blessing.

But if we will to get rich, and live with that outlook, we will pay a great price for those riches

Romans 6:16 ESV

Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

vs. 24b God and Money

Luke 16:10–11 ESV

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?