Church Sermon Notes: How to Measure Your Treasure
Based on Matthew 6:19-24 and related scriptures
Overview
This sermon delves deeply into the spiritual and practical dimensions of treasure, contrasting the fleeting nature of earthly wealth with the eternal value of heavenly riches. It challenges believers to critically assess where their true treasure lies, revealing that the measure of one’s treasure is ultimately the measure of one’s heart and faith. The message calls for a radical reorientation of priorities—moving from materialism and anxiety about money toward trust, generosity, and obedience to God. Through scriptural exposition, personal testimony, and pastoral exhortation, the speaker invites the congregation to embrace a faith that transcends financial instability and worldly values, anchoring their hope and identity in Christ alone.
1. Introduction and Context
- Series Context: Part of a comprehensive teaching on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), focusing on Jesus’ radical call to kingdom living.
- Text Focus: Matthew 6:19-24, a pivotal passage addressing the believer’s relationship with material wealth and spiritual priorities.
- Timeliness: The message was delivered amid real financial challenges within the congregation, underscoring God’s providential timing and humor in addressing money issues when they are most relevant.
- Speaker’s Tone: Pastoral, candid, and relatable—acknowledging common struggles with money while pointing to God’s faithfulness and kingdom perspective.
2. Deep Scriptural Exposition: Matthew 6:19-24
Verse 19-21: The Nature of Treasure and the Heart’s Location
- “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth…”
- Earthly treasures are inherently unstable, subject to decay (moth, rust) and theft. This reflects the impermanence of material wealth and possessions.
- The imagery of moth and rust symbolizes natural decay and corruption, reminding believers that earthly goods are temporary and vulnerable.
- “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…”
- Heavenly treasures are incorruptible, secure, and eternal. They represent spiritual investments made through obedience, generosity, and faithfulness.
- This calls for a paradigm shift from accumulating for self to investing in God’s kingdom purposes.
- “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
- The location of treasure reveals the true orientation of the heart. The heart follows what we value most, shaping our desires, decisions, and destiny.
- This verse is foundational: it links external behavior (treasure) with internal reality (heart).
Verse 22-23: The Eye as the Lamp of the Body
- The “single” eye represents a focused, healthy spiritual vision that fills the whole person with light—clarity, truth, and godliness.
- The “evil” or “bad” eye symbolizes a distorted, covetous, or envious perspective that darkens the soul and leads to spiritual blindness.
- This metaphor underscores the importance of spiritual focus and the dangers of divided or unhealthy desires, especially regarding material things.
Verse 24: The Incompatibility of Serving God and Mammon
- “No man can serve two masters…” emphasizes the impossibility of divided loyalty.
- Mammon (money or wealth) is personified as a rival master competing for allegiance with God.
- The call is to exclusive devotion—choosing God over materialism, trusting Him as the ultimate provider and source of security.
3. The Two Kinds of Treasures: Earthly vs. Heavenly
Earthly Treasures: Characteristics and Pitfalls
- Temporary and Corruptible: Earthly wealth is subject to decay, loss, and theft. The speaker highlights that money, made of paper (wood), cannot withstand the “fire” of God’s judgment (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).
- Necessary but Dangerous: While material resources are needed for daily life, they become spiritually dangerous when they dominate the heart or faith.
- Source of Division and Anxiety: The sermon points out how money causes family strife, selfishness, and fear—“mess with my money, it messes with my faith.”
- Stale and Hoarded: The metaphor of money as “stale as the Dead Sea” critiques believers who hoard wealth instead of allowing it to flow in generosity and kingdom use.
Heavenly Treasures: Eternal and Incorruptible
- Stored in Heaven: These treasures are not visible or tangible on earth but are secured in God’s eternal kingdom.
- Result of Obedience and Generosity: Laying up treasures in heaven involves giving, serving, and living according to God’s will.
- Survive the Fire: Unlike earthly wealth, heavenly treasures withstand God’s refining fire, symbolizing eternal reward and approval.
- Faith-Based Investment: Believers walk by faith, trusting that their spiritual investments will yield eternal dividends, even if unseen now.
4. The Rich Young Ruler: A Case Study in Treasure and Heart (Matthew 19:16-26)
- The rich young ruler exemplifies the tension between earthly wealth and spiritual commitment.
- Despite religious pedigree and moral keeping, he lacks the willingness to surrender material possessions for God’s kingdom.
- Jesus’ invitation to “sell all and give to the poor” is a radical call to detach from earthly riches to gain heavenly treasure.
- The man’s sorrowful departure reveals the cost of divided loyalty and the difficulty of prioritizing God over comfort and security.
- Jesus’ teaching on the difficulty for the rich to enter the kingdom highlights the spiritual barrier that wealth can create when it becomes an idol.
- The passage challenges believers to examine what they are unwilling to surrender and how that affects their spiritual growth.
5. Trusting God Over Money: A Spiritual Imperative
- God’s Knowledge and Provision: Referencing John 17:14-15, believers are reminded that God knows their needs and prays for their protection from evil, not removal from the world.
- Walking by Faith, Not Sight: The sermon stresses the biblical principle of trusting God’s unseen provision rather than relying solely on visible resources.
- Peace Amid Financial Trials: The speaker’s testimony illustrates God’s faithfulness despite financial hardships, reinforcing that peace comes from trusting God, not money.
- Unchanging God: The “Big Dipper” analogy powerfully reminds that God’s presence and provision remain constant regardless of earthly circumstances.
- Faith Maturity: Believers are called to move beyond spiritual infancy (“milk”) to maturity (“meat”), trusting God fully and growing in faith.
6. Practical Spiritual Applications and Kingdom Living
- Generosity as Kingdom Currency: Giving is not optional but essential for laying up heavenly treasures. Hoarding wealth limits spiritual blessings and kingdom impact.
- Faithful Stewardship: Managing earthly resources wisely while recognizing their temporary nature.
- Contentment and Peace: Cultivating a heart that is not anxious about money but rests in God’s sufficiency.
- Obedience to God’s Will: Aligning actions with God’s commands, including sacrificial giving and serving others.
- Community and Service: Engaging in practical acts of service (e.g., helping with church events) as expressions of faith and kingdom investment.
- Avoiding Worldly Comparison: Rejecting envy and competition over material possessions, focusing instead on spiritual growth and contentment.
7. Announcements and Community Engagement
- Men’s Ministry Call: All men (young and old) are asked to assist with rearranging the children’s church room after service for the back-to-school drive.
- Prayer Requests: Special prayers for Eldress Odette and her family during the bereavement of her great aunt, celebrating a long life of 94 years.
- Church Unity: Emphasis on serving together and supporting one another as a reflection of kingdom values.
8. Notable Speaker Quotes
- “Tell your soul, you ain’t the boss of me.” — A declaration of spiritual authority over internal struggles, especially regarding money.
- “Money, muffins, and mama… Christians get uptight about these earthly things.” — Highlighting common earthly attachments that challenge faith.
- “Money is as stale as the Dead Sea because you won’t let it move.” — A call to generosity and circulation of resources.
- “If my son [Jesus] is not enough to keep you happy, you’ve already told me the measure of your treasure.” — The ultimate test of faith and contentment.
- “God opened the door. I walked through it. He slammed the door behind me.” — Testimony of God’s guidance and protection in ministry.
- “If we lost everything but Jesus, we already have more than enough to start over.” — On the sufficiency of Christ above all else.
- “It’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” — The challenge of wealth as a spiritual barrier.
9. Study Guide: Key Points and Reflective Questions
Key Points
- Earthly treasures are temporary, corruptible, and ultimately unsatisfying.
- Heavenly treasures are eternal, incorruptible, and secured through faith and obedience.
- The heart follows what we treasure; true faith demands exclusive loyalty to God.
- Generosity is the spiritual currency for laying up treasures in heaven.
- Trusting God’s provision brings peace amid financial uncertainty.
- Spiritual maturity involves moving beyond dependence on earthly “milk” to full reliance on God’s “meat.”
- The rich young ruler’s story challenges believers to surrender all for Christ.
Reflective Questions
- What does my current lifestyle reveal about where my treasure truly lies?
- How do I respond when financial pressures challenge my faith?
- In what ways can I practice greater generosity to align with kingdom values?
- What “earthly treasures” am I holding onto that hinder my spiritual growth?
- How can I cultivate a “single eye” focused on God rather than material things?
- What steps can I take to grow from spiritual infancy to maturity in trusting God?
- How does the story of the rich young ruler speak to my willingness to surrender?
10. Decisions and Invitations
- Self-Examination: Invitation to honestly assess personal treasures and realign priorities toward heavenly values.
- Faith Commitment: Call to trust God fully, especially in financial matters, releasing anxiety and control.
- Generosity Challenge: Encouragement to embrace giving as a spiritual discipline and kingdom investment.
- Peace and Trust: Prayer for those struggling with money worries to find peace in God’s provision and sovereignty.
- Obedience and Growth: Invitation to obey God’s will and pursue spiritual maturity.
11. Recommendations and Practical Advice
- Regularly evaluate where your heart is invested—material possessions or God’s kingdom.
- Commit to faithful tithing and sacrificial giving as acts of worship and trust.
- Avoid comparing your material status with others; cultivate contentment in Christ.
- Pursue spiritual growth by moving beyond basic needs to deeper faith and obedience.
- Engage actively in community service and church life as expressions of heavenly treasure.
- Guard your spiritual vision; maintain a “single eye” focused on God’s truth and provision.
12. Personal Reflections and Spiritual Growth
- This message challenges me to confront the idols of materialism in my life and heart.
- I am reminded that money is a tool, not a master, and must be managed with faith and generosity.
- Trusting God’s provision is a daily choice that brings peace beyond circumstances.
- The testimony shared encourages me that God’s faithfulness transcends financial struggles.
- I desire to grow in spiritual maturity, laying up treasures that will last eternally.
- I commit to cultivating a heart that treasures God above all else, embracing generosity and obedience.
End of Notes