Title: Treasures of Heaven / Matthew 6:19-24
Content Word: Matthew 6:19-24
1. Our eyes are most important: verses 22-23
Diligent actions in our lives are precious. But it is not the most precious thing in life. There are things that are more important than our diligent actions or our determined willful determination. It is our eyes. The most important thing in life is whether we see properly what we need to see. Eyes that properly see the most important things in our lives, eyes that can see the treasures are the most important. When our eyes are open and we see the treasure, we can use our heads and move our hands and feet to work for the treasure we have found. Verses 22 and 23 of today's text say that if your eyes are open, your whole body will be full of light, and if your eyes are dark, your whole body will be full of darkness. It's saying you can't do it. It's a terribly poignant word. It is important that our eyes see what we see with bright eyes. The most important question is whether our eyes are open and we see treasures as treasures, or whether we mistake things for treasures.
2. The misconception that things that are not treasures are treasures: verse 19
The blind person misunderstands the worldly things in front of them as treasures and stakes his life on them. He devotes all his passion to hoarding more worldly things such as money, success, power, and fame in front of his eyes on this earth. Even faith sees it as an important means of accumulating more on this earth in a shorter amount of time. But Jesus said firmly not to lay up treasures on this earth (verse 19). Because it is foolish to lay up treasures on this earth.
First, it is foolish to think of piling up treasures on this earth as the highest goal, since they are destroyed when they are laid up on the earth. Treasures built up on this earth are eventually destroyed and stolen for one reason or another. There is no eternal success or eternal material abundance on this earth. A hurricane destroyed America's seemingly eternal wealth and fame overnight. What seems to be eternal like this, but never lasts, is the wealth and success we have built up on this earth.
Second, our lives stumble upon what we thought was a treasure. Therefore, it is foolish to think of what is on this earth as a treasure. Those who regard the treasures of the kingdom as true treasures will lead a healthy life throughout their lives. However, those who regard only what we can enjoy on this earth as the treasures among the treasures, their whole life becomes unhealthy. Because of poor eyesight, he eventually stumbles on the things he valued so much. A person who treasures pleasure is a life that revolves around pleasure and stumbles upon it. A person who values money as a treasure wanders around money with a disgruntled eye and eventually stumbles over it (Ti 6:10). Those who treasure power revolve around it and stumble upon it. .
Third, the treasures we have accumulated become irrelevant to us when we die. As the old saying goes, “There are no pockets in a shroud,” anyone who values what is on earth as a treasure is a fool. Rather, money and wealth create an illusion of life and can become an obstacle to living God-centered (Luke 12:16-20). Rather, the splendor and splendor of this world make us misunderstand that the things of this world are the best.
3. Lay up treasures in heaven: verse 20
Those with bright eyes see true treasures. The bright-eyed see that the treasures laid up in heaven are real treasures (verse 20).
First, Jesus tells us to lay up treasures in heaven “only for yourselves.” Laying up treasures in heaven is not advice for Jesus himself or for the pastor. This is an important presentation from Jesus for each of us. Lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven.
Second, Jesus says, “Lay up treasures in heaven” for you. Instead of living a life of vain consumption, he tells us to live an investment life that leaves something behind. Those who live a life of investment use what is in this world as a means and live by investing for the kingdom of God. In this world, no matter how well you live, it is a life that is wasted. But what we dedicate to God becomes a treasure to be laid up in heaven. Those who invest for eternity do not write what should be used separately in advance, but invest separately. When we first set apart and worship God, we pay tithes, we give offerings, and we give our devotion to God, our treasures accumulate in heaven.
4. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also: v. 21, 24