LOVE OF MONEY
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) Treasures
i) 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 6:19-24 NIV)
1. Why does Jesus specifically mention about "Money"?
a) Treasures in heaven
i) Laying up treasures in heaven is not limited to tithing or giving but is accompanied by all acts of obedience to God. There is a sense in which giving our money to God's work is like investing in heaven. But our intention should be to seek the fulfillment of God's purposes in all we do, not merely what we do with our money.
ii) Spiritual vision is our capacity to see clearly what God wants us to do and to see the world from his point of view. But this spiritual insight can be easily clouded. Self-serving desires, interests, and goals block that vision. Serving God is the best way to restore it. A "good" eye is one that is fixed on God.
b) One master
i) Jesus says that we can have only one master. We live in materialistic society where many people serve money. The spend all their lives collecting and storing it, only to die and leave it behind. Their desire for money and what it can buy far outweighs their commitment to God and spiritual matters. What ever you store up, you spend much of your time and energy thinking about. Don't fall into the materialistic trap, because "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil."
@1. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:10 NIV)
ii) Can you honestly say that God, and not money, is your master? One test is to ask which one occupies more of your thoughts, time and efforts.
c) Contrast
i) Jesus contrasted heavenly values with earthly values when he explained that our first loyalty should be to those things that do not fade, cannot be stolen or used up, and never wear out. We should not be fascinated with our possessions, lest they possess us. This means we may have to do some cutting back if our possessions are becoming too important to us. Jesus is calling for a decision that allows us to live contently with whatever we have because we have chosen what is eternal and lasting.
ii) Because of the ill effects of worry, Jesus tells us not to worry about those needs that God promises to supply.
2. Prayer focus
a) Pray that we choose to serve God and not be a slave to money. Money is not evil but the love of money is.
The End ...
0. Introductiona) Treasures
i) 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 6:19-24 NIV)
1. Why does Jesus specifically mention about "Money"?
a) Treasures in heaven
i) Laying up treasures in heaven is not limited to tithing or giving but is accompanied by all acts of obedience to God. There is a sense in which giving our money to God's work is like investing in heaven. But our intention should be to seek the fulfillment of God's purposes in all we do, not merely what we do with our money.
ii) Spiritual vision is our capacity to see clearly what God wants us to do and to see the world from his point of view. But this spiritual insight can be easily clouded. Self-serving desires, interests, and goals block that vision. Serving God is the best way to restore it. A "good" eye is one that is fixed on God.
b) One master
i) Jesus says that we can have only one master. We live in materialistic society where many people serve money. The spend all their lives collecting and storing it, only to die and leave it behind. Their desire for money and what it can buy far outweighs their commitment to God and spiritual matters. What ever you store up, you spend much of your time and energy thinking about. Don't fall into the materialistic trap, because "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil."
@1. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:10 NIV)
ii) Can you honestly say that God, and not money, is your master? One test is to ask which one occupies more of your thoughts, time and efforts.
c) Contrast
i) Jesus contrasted heavenly values with earthly values when he explained that our first loyalty should be to those things that do not fade, cannot be stolen or used up, and never wear out. We should not be fascinated with our possessions, lest they possess us. This means we may have to do some cutting back if our possessions are becoming too important to us. Jesus is calling for a decision that allows us to live contently with whatever we have because we have chosen what is eternal and lasting.
ii) Because of the ill effects of worry, Jesus tells us not to worry about those needs that God promises to supply.
2. Prayer focus
a) Pray that we choose to serve God and not be a slave to money. Money is not evil but the love of money is.
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