It is important to face squarely and honestly the question.
What was Jesus prohibiting when he told us not to lay up treasure for ourselves
on earth? It may help if we began by listing the things Jesus was not forbidding.
1.1 Private Property
There is no ban on possessions in themselves. Scripture no
where forbids private property. (see Acts 5:4)
1.2 Insurance Policies
"Saving for a rainy day" is not forbidden to Christians
either. Life assurance policies are only a kind of saving by self imposed compulsion.
On the contrary, Scripture praises the ant for storing in the summer the food
it will need in the winter, (Proverbs 6:6) and declares that the believer who
makes no provision for his family is worse than an unbeliever (1 Tim. 5:8).
1.3 Material Blessing
Thirdly, we are not to despise, but rather to enjoy the good
things which our Creator has given us to enjoy. "Everything God has created
is good" says Paul to Timothy. (1 Tim 4:3-4, 6:17) So neither having possessions,
nor making provision for the future, nor enjoying the gifts of a good Creator
are included in the ban on storing earthly treasure. What then is Jesus talking
about?
1.4 Selfish Accumulation
Notice the text says, "do not store up for yourselves
treasures on earth." Jesus is criticising extravagant
and self centred living; the hardness of heart which ignores the cry's of the
poor. Jesus is condemning the foolish fantasy that a person's significance and
value is determined by how much we earn, by the clothes we were or the car we
drive or our postcode. In a word, to "lay up treasure on earth" does
not mean being provident but being covetous. Jesus is not saying no to making
sensible provision for the future, but being greedy and always wanting more.
"Whenever the Gospel is taught", wrote Luther, "and people seek
to live according to it, there are two terrible plagues that always arise: false
preachers who corrupt the teaching, and then Sir Greed, who obstructs right
living." The earthly treasure we covet, Jesus reminds us, "grows rusty
and moth-eaten, and thieves break in to steal." (6:19)
We may and try and protect our treasures with insecticides,
rat poison, mouse traps, rustproof paint, padlocks, CCTV and burglar alarms,
personal equity plans and offshore bank accounts. But even if these measures
succeed we are still vulnerable to inflation, devaluation, taxation and disintegration.
Even if our treasures carry life time warranties and guarantees, or we have
them buried with us, we cannot take them with us into eternity. Job was right
when he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return."
But on the other hand treasure in heaven is incorruptible. What is this "treasure"?
Jesus doesn't explain, but it must have to do with earthly activity which lasts
for eternity. For a start, Christ-like character is the only thing we take with
us to heaven - things like faith, hope and love. Then there's investing in leading
other people to Jesus who will share eternity with us. As we saw a couple of
weeks ago the giving of our money to Christian work has eternal consequences.
So if you want to see your treasure in heaven you need to send it on ahead.
The Question of Treasure. 6:19-21.
2. The Question of Vision (6:22-23)
Read 6:22-23. Jesus turns from the comparative durability
of the two treasures to the comparative benefit derived from two conditions.
For the way we view the world will determine what we treasure. The contrast
here is now between someone who is blind and someone who can see. Read 6:22.
Almost everything we do depends on our ability to see. We need to see in order
to walk or run, drive a car, cross a road, cook, paint. The eye illuminates
what the body does through its hands and feet. In the Bible, the eye is frequently
synonymous with the heart, our motivation, our desire. Just as the eye gives
light to the body, so a Christ-centred heart throws light on everything we do.
If you look at the circles on the sermon notes you will see the point Jesus
is making. Its not simply about two kinds of treasure or motivations. Ultimately
its about loyalty.
3. The Question of Loyalty
(6:24)
Jesus now explains that behind the choice between two treasures
(where we store them) and two visions (where we fix our eyes), there lies the
still more basic choice between two masters (whom we are going to serve). It
is a choice between God and money, between the Creator himself and any object
of our own creation. We cannot serve both. Notice Jesus repeats himself in verse
6:24. When I was a teenager, one summer, I had two part time jobs on the go
at the same time. I worked in a fish and chip shop at night, and a garage as
a petrol pump attendant during the day. Neither knew of the existence of the
other. It worked out fine. Until that is, August Bank Holiday Monday. Both employers
assumed I would work all day and neither was happy to learn I was working for
someone else. I had to choose.
It may be possible to work for two employers, but no slave can be the property
of two owners. For single ownership and full-time service are the essence of
slavery. Anybody who tries to divide his allegiance between God and money has
already given in to money, since we can only serve God with an entire and exclusive
devotion. "I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other."
To try to share him with other loyalties is to opt for idolatry. God has entrusted
us with all we have. It is the supreme treason to prize the gift above the giver.
When the choice is seen for what it really is - a choice between Creator and
creature, between the glorious personal God and a miserable thing called money,
between worship and idolatry - it seems inconceivable that anybody could make
the wrong choice. Yet many do.
That's why I wanted to end with a cartoon from Peanuts. Charles Shultz was a
Christian. His cartoons contain many profound truths. The one in your notes
is an application of these words of Jesus. I wonder whether you have been in
the situation portrayed? If not with a pet, then with a child. What would you
say to a child worried about their next meal? You would reassure them. You will
provide for them. If it is as simple as that why can't we trust our heavenly
father in the same way? Read 6:31-33. A question of treasure, a question of
vision, a question of loyalty. The intrinsic worth of knowing and being known
by the Living God, and the intrinsic worthlessness of being known for our attachment
to money. Which god are you going to choose today? This Summer? This year? For
eternity? For where your treasure is, there your heart
will be also. Lets pray.
with grateful thanks
to Warren Wersbie, John McArthur and John Stott for ideas and material used
in this sermon