Where Your Treasure Is
Matt 6:21

Introduction:

A.  The desire for material goods and riches is nothing new with our society. Man has, from the earliest recorded times desired to amass wealth. Many in the Bible were described as wealthy by anyone’s standard (Abraham, Job). There is nothing wrong with being rich, except for the problems that it can cause one in trying to follow Christ. Many have forsaken their families, lied, cheated or anything else they felt was necessary to attain their goal.

B.  Unfortunately, along with all the other things that we have allowed to come through the door of the Lord’s church, materialism has not been left outside either. People who call themselves Christians are attempting to acquire the wealth of the world just as strongly as anyone in the world. They seem to be putting their trust and affection in the things of this world rather than God.

C.  The story of the rich man in Luke 12 points up the fact very clearly that men will put their trust and affection in the things that mean the most to them.

D.  Paul tells us in Col. 3:2 that we are not to set our affections on things of the world, but rather on the things of heaven. Romans 12:2 tells us we do that by putting anything that might interfere with doing the commands of the Lord out of our lives.

 

I.    Things Of This World Are Temporary

      A.  Moses recognized this fact – Heb 11:24-26

      B.  No matter what we have or how expensive it may be, it will eventually be destroyed

            1.   Physical appearance

            2.   Expensive jewelry or paintings

            3.   Large bank accounts

      C.  Some think this life is all there is – Jas 4:13; Matt 16:26

      D.  No matter what we have

            1.   Will eventually be destroyed by age or wear and tear

            2.   Or someone will want it worse than we do and steal it from us

 

II.  Things Of Heaven Are Permanent (Eternal)

      A.  We love that in which we have invested - Lk 12:33-34

            1.   Whatever it may be

                  a.   Friends

                  b.   Home

                  c.   Church

                  d.   Heaven

            2.   1 Tim 6:12

      B.  Heavenly things do not fail – 1 Pet 1:4

      C.  God has promised – 2 Tim 4:7-8

      D.  Paul gives us an example to follow – Acts 20:32-33

 

III. Cannot Serve Two Masters – Matt 6:24

      A.  Cannot serve God and riches – 1 Jn 2:15

      B.  Cannot try to please men and please God – Gal 1:10

 

IV  A Pilgrims Heart Is At Home No Matter Where His Body May Be – Heb 11:13-16

      A.  Travelers don’t build a home every place they stop

      B.  The pull of home is so strong that a traveler’s happiness doesn’t depend on the land he is passing through – Acts 16:25; Phil 3:20-21; 1:23

      C.  The pull of home on the heart overcomes the allurements and difficulties of the road – 1 Pet 2:11; Heb 12:1-4; Tit 2:11-14

 

Conclusion:

A.  A person’s heart will unfailingly follow their treasure no matter where it may be. Look at Lot’s wife (Gen 19:26). She couldn’t bear the though of leaving all they had. Lassie got lost but didn’t stop until she found home again.

B.  Which way is your treasure leading your heart? Is it destruction or is it salvation?

C.  There is something dreadfully wrong with the traveler who isn’t interested in a guide book or sign board that points the way home.