The Message of the Teachings on the Mount (53)
By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on December 15, 2010
Topic: Possessions, Money, and Life (2) : Where is Your Heart?
No audio available for this study.Background
Last week we began to study a series of verses which speak to us about “Possessions, Money, and Life”. We saw that the Lord Jesus Christ does not teach us to store up (accumulate) or be consumed with the idea of gaining wealth or treasures on earth; things which, unfortunately, today’s Christians are doing. Instead, the Lord teaches us to accumulate and be consumed with treasures in heaven we saw that the reason he warns us against accumulation of treasures on earth is because they can be destroyed by insects, stolen by thieves, degraded by lack of use and devalued over time; and therefore no real gain for such a person in eternity. On the other hand, treasures in heaven are safe from insects, protected from thieves, and not subject to degradation or devaluation; and, therefore storing up treasure in heaven is a very wise thing to do.
We noted that while treasures on earth are earthy, treasures in heaven are heavenly. We also saw that while treasures on earth can be destroyed, stolen, degraded, or devalued, treasures in heaven are completely safe and secure, and not subject to degradation and devaluation. Again, we saw that one treasure in heaven is worth more than all the treasures on earth put together; and that treasures on earth are not the true riches, but treasures in heaven are. Finally, we noted that though treasures on earth cannot be taken to heaven; they can be invested in spiritual things here on earth to yield treasures, far greater in worth, in heaven.
We noted that in order to be able to invest treasures on earth for heavenly benefit, we need to get rid of greed, covetousness, and the inordinate desire for wealth from our lives on one hand; while on the other hand, we need to be willing to, and actually be involved in giving away and sharing our treasures on earth with others. We also noted that sowing in spiritual things on earth translate into treasures in heaven. Hence, the bible encourages those who are rich in this world to use their earthly wealth to store up treasures in heaven.
Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 6:21; Colossians 3:1-2
Tonight, we shall continue from where we ended last week’s study: “Where is your heart?” May the Holy Spirit help us, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Our scripture texts tell us that where a man’s treasure is, there also will his heart be; and that if we are born again in truth, our affections (heart) should be heaven-ward. This gives rise to the question, “Where is your heart?” “Where are your affections?”
Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 15:18-20; 13:22; 2 Timothy 4:10; Genesis 13:10-13; Luke 12:16-21; Matthew 19:16-21; 2 Kings 5:20-27; John 13:21-30; Proverbs 23:5; 1 Kings 11:1-6; Nehemiah 1:1-4; Deuteronomy 8:11-19, 2-3; Psalm 139:23; 1 Samuel 6:1-12; 2 Chronicles 25:2; Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:19-23; Psalm 42:1-2; 63:1; Acts 13:21-22; Matthew 19:27-29; 1 John 2:15-17.
Conclusion
The focus or occupation of a man’s heart is a very good indicator of where his treasure is stored up: either in heaven or on earth; and also determines whether he will receive eternal life or eternal damnation. Where you will spend eternity is determined not necessarily by how much you possess, but by your affections or the preoccupation of your heart.
People’s hearts can be in the world, even though they are in church; and this is apparent by; the things they are concerned about most, how they respond to the issue of money, whether or not they are willing and able to give up things for God, what they are busy accumulating, their relationship with God, and their deepest desires. On the other hand, people’s hearts can be in God, though they are heavily occupied with affairs of State; and we know such people by what they ask about when they meet the brethren, whom they are really serving (God or Mammon), and where their affections truly lie.
At the end of the day, it is your affections that will indicate if you are where you should be (that is, with God) or if you are with the world. It is your affections that determine whether or not you are going to do the will of God, or just mouth “Thy will be done …”. There are evidently rewards for those whose hearts are where God is: eternal life for one; but also rewards here on earth. And such earthly rewards never trip them or lead them astray.
Once again, we ask, “Where is your heart?”
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