Check out the book "The Upside Down Kingdom" by Donald Kraybill
https://www.amazon.com/Upside-Down-Distinguished-Professor-Emeritus-Kraybill/dp/1513802496/ref=sr_1_2?crid=226Z0R7BQKLQ3&keywords=donald+kraybill&qid=1669518981&s=instant-video&sprefix=donald+kraybill%2Cinstant-video%2C182&sr=1-2-catcorr
The Poverty of Riches
-We’ve been talking for four weeks about the Upside Down Kingdom of God.
-How everything that Jesus did was upside down and backwards from the world he lived in.
-He didn’t say what people expected, or do what people expected, and he didn’t fit the preconceived notions they had of the Messiah.
-And it wasn’t even close!
-In many ways Jesus was a disappointment for his own people.
-They wanted someone who’d take up arms, and fight against Rome but Jesus said, “love your enemies.”
-They wanted someone to fight to create a strong nation, and he said, “my kingdom is not of this world.”
-They wanted someone who would fight for their rights, but he called us to lay down our rights.
-They wanted someone who’d usher in a season of prosperity, but he came in poverty and mainly worked among peasants.
-In many ways Jesus was a disappointment to his people and in some ways he might feel like a disappointment to us.
-Because oftentimes he wants the opposite for us of what we want from him.
-Today we’re looking at Matthew 6:9-34 if you want to follow along on the screen or the app.
-Quick side note: we’ve started putting our attendance and giving in the message notes each week for those who are interested.
-Let me begin by reading the whole passage, and then we’ll walk through it together.
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
22 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light.
23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
-When we read passages like this we tend to look at them through the eyes of American people in 2022.
-And this passage is absolutely relevant to us. We’ll get to that in a few minutes.
-But there is some context to what is being said here that I’d like to go over with you.
-When we study the Scripture we have to remember that context is king.
-What it means to us is only relevant when we understand what it meant to the original audience.
-In this instance, the original audience was a crowd of disciples gathered on a hillside. And he brings up the issue of money.
-One thing non-Christians and Christians both hate about church is our conversations about money.
-But Jesus talked about money more times than he talked about heaven and hell combined.
-He wasn’t afraid to talk about it, and neither should we.
-One author points out that “economic issues were central to Jesus’ vision of the new kingdom.” (Kraybill 99)
-But not in the way that people often think:
*Jesus didn’t preach against money, he preached against greed.
*Jesus wasn’t against private property, but he warned us repeatedly about our property owning us.
*Jesus didn’t propose a socialist utopia that attempted to eradicate poverty, he actually said the poor will always be among us. (Mt 26:11)
*He did preach against the oppression of the poor.
*But he didn’t see poor people as lowly, like we tend to.
-Most notably, in our passage, Jesus warned that money can become a false god. A master that we worship instead of God.
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
-What are we storing up?
-The original language literally reads “do not treasure for yourself treasures on earth.”
-Again, Jesus didn’t say that we can’t buy anything or have anything or enjoy anything.
-That’s not his point. The emphasis is on what we are storing up.
-Put differently, what we value?
-What are the things that motivate us? What is our treasure?
-Are we focused on material things or spiritual things?
-Are we trying to get more, and more and more?
-Are we wanting to have, more and more and more?
-Is there ever a point when we would be satisfied?
-How much stuff is enough stuff?
-Are you focused on material things or spiritual things?
-And the answer for all of us is probably…a little of both.
-Money and things aren’t bad per se, but they have no lasting value.
-They can break. They can get stolen. They can get rusty and old.
-The point is, they won’t last.
-But the things of heaven do last. So our primary focus should be on lasting things, kingdom things, not money and stuff.
-But what are those spiritual things that we should be storing up? How do we make deposits in our heavenly accounts?
-And what exactly are we depositing?
-There are only two things we have in this world that we can take with us to the next.
-Our relationship with God is something we have here and will have in heaven.
-And our relationships with God’s people.
-So our focus, our treasures, are the things we do in relationships to God and others.
-So when we take time to pray, worship and read scripture…we’re making deposits.
-When we…
*Share the gospel with people,
*When we pray over the sick…
*Comfort people who are hurting…
*Feed those who are hungry…
*Care for orphans…
*Visit the widows…
*When we help those who are in need…
-We’re making deposits. We’re storing up heavenly treasure.
-But it’s not always easy. It’s not always fun.
-It doesn’t always feel as rewarding. Especially at first.
-Learning to treasure the things of heaven is a discipline.
-It takes time and patience and a lot of practice.
-It’s a balancing act. We’re citizens of God’s Kingdom but we have jobs and bills and problems and pressures.
-We’re trying to keep our eyes on the heavenly prize while navigating life here on earth.
-It’s a balancing act for sure.
-How do we know if we’re getting it right? Glad you asked!!!
21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
-Have you noticed that Jesus always boils things down to what’s going on in your heart?
-I just read a devotional this week on this same passage. It said:
“When it comes to material possessions, first you want something. Getting it can be kind of a thrill, but that doesn’t last long at all. As for having it? You adapt to that. In other words, you get used to it and bored with it. So you go looking for the next one.” https://renew.org/sermon-on-the-mount-mammon/?mc_cid=e6e0f9c97d&mc_eid=1bc8cf0367
-It doesn’t matter if it’s video games or kitchen appliances.
-Hunting gear or new clothes or motorcycles.
-It could be power tools, camping gear, or eating out.
-Your treasures reveal where your heart is.
-But how do we truly know what our hearts long for?
-Let me ask you some probing questions:
-What do you dream about?
-What do you scheme for?
-What are your future goals? Anything spiritual?
-Or are all your goals financial and material?
-What are you saving up for? Who are you trying to bless?
-Does God have a line item in your budget?
-Sometimes I hear people say, they can’t afford to give to the ministry of their local church.
-My 1st question is, “do you have a budget?” They always so “no”
-So I ask, “How do you know you can’t afford to give, if you haven’t budgeted your money?”
-And besides that…you can’t afford to give anything? Anything?
-Could you skip Dutch Bros one day a week?
-Could you cancel one of your five streaming services?
-You can’t give anything?
-Could you go without the latest model of Iphone?
-Could you drive a paid for car?
-And you might be thinking…that’s none of your business!
-You’re right. It’s the business of your heart being right with God.
-People say, “you can’t judge my heart.”
-You’re right. But Jesus can.
-And he said…our hearts are sitting right next to our treasures.
-We can SAY whatever we want about our hearts, but our treasures reveal the truth.
-This next part is a bit tricky.
22 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light.
23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
-So Jesus is talking about money and suddenly he switches to the topic of eyeballs.
-And we’re like, Jesus, what are you talking about?
-The Jews had an expression they would use called the “evil eye” or “bad eye” which is a way of describing someone who is greedy.
-Greed serves as blinders for our eyes. It darkens our hearts.
-When our eyes are focused on earthly, material, monetary things…it fills you with darkness.
-And he makes a frightening observation. If the light you think you have is darkness…that’s a deep darkness.
-He’s saying, there are people who believe they’re filled with light but they’ve deceived themselves.
-They are really worldly and greedy people but they can’t see it.
-Or to put in modern words, “that’s really messed up bro.”
-Once again Jesus is presenting things in a completely upside down way from how we think about money and possessions.
-It almost feels like...we have to pick sides between Jesus & $$$
-And if that’s what you’re hearing…let me give you some reassurance. That’s exactly what Jesus is saying.
-Here’s the surprise ending.
24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.
-Many Christians think about two masters like having two jobs.
-I work for Jesus over here, and I’ve got my own side hustle over there. No problem.
-But the language Jesus is using is more like a master and a slave
-You literally can’t belong to two masters.
-You have to pick sides.
-He didn’t say you shouldn’t have two masters, he’s saying you can’t. It’s impossible to serve God while living for money.
-That devotional I mentioned earlier says:
The New Testament also talks about the “deceitfulness of riches” (Mark 4:19). Money doesn’t deliver on its promises. The Greek word for “greed” is literally “have-more-ness” (cf. Luke 12:15). Greed is the feeling that your happiness depends on having more in general. Coveting is the feeling that your happiness depends on having something specific. You have the thing in your sights, and your inner voice says, “I would be happy if only I had that.”
But you wouldn’t.
-That’s what it’s like to serve the God of money.
-A man came to a local Baptist church and asked to speak with the pastor.
-“Pastor,” he said, “My dog died and I would like someone to give him a proper Christian burial.
-Would you be willing to do a service for him?”
-The Pastor said, “I’m sorry to hear about your dog, but Baptist pastors don’t do funerals for dogs.
-You might try the Methodist church down the street. Those Methodists will do almost anything.”
-The man turned sadly and said, “I understand. I’ll try the Methodist church.”
-But would you tell me how much is appropriate to give as a memorial gift for the service?
-I was thinking of giving a $10,000 donation in his name.”
-“Wait a minute,” the pastor said.
-“You didn’t tell me that your dog was Baptist!”
-When money is your master you find ways to serve it.
-You want it. Desire it. Your convictions can be conveniently changed to get it.
-You make decisions based on money.
-Your life is centered around the almighty dollar instead of Almighty God.
-There is a fantastic little book called the “Wealth Conundrum” written by a man who was a wealthy investment broker.
-His life was all about money until he came face to face with this very passage of Scripture.
-In his book he asks questions designed to reveal if money is your master: I’ve put some on the screen for you and in your notes.
*Who’s in charge, me or money?
*Did I pick my career based on how much it paid?
*Am I motivated by free trips or free samples?
*Do I order more food if someone else is paying for it?
*Do I ever buy things I didn’t need because they’re on sale?
*Is more money my goal?
*Do I fear being taken advantage of financially?
*Do I react to requests for money with anger?
*Do I have trouble spending money even when I have it?
*Have I ever deducted a personal item as a business expense?
*Do you ever lay awake at night thinking about money?
*Do you sleep easy at night because of how much money is in your account?
*Do you pride yourself in how you handle your money?
*Do you look down on others for how they handle their money?
*Do you rank people, their worth, and how you think of them based on how they spend their money?
*When trouble strikes do your thoughts first turn to God or to money?
-I’d be shocked if anyone here said that none of those apply to them…we all have some hang-ups with our money.
-But it’s interesting to note that people who serve money can be rich or poor.
-They can be tightwads or spenders.
-They can be old or young believers.
-The god of money works in many different and insidious ways.
-Here’s the hard truth for me and all of you.
-Your master isn’t who you claim, it’s who you serve. (X2)
-Are you content? Are you content with the house you have and the car you have, or do you have to have the bigger, better, newer? And when you get the bigger, better, newer what’s next?
-Does money, and what it can buy for you, direct your course in life? It’s surprising how often people make huge financial decisions without ever seeking God’s will in prayer.
-The money is the deciding factor.
-I have seen so many families move, sell a house, take a job, quit a job and the only consideration is price tag.
-And so many live to regret those decisions, because they were made without God in mind.
-Before we end today we’re going to pray for John and Kimberly who are finally leaving on their mission to Mexico.
-John and I have talked extensively about this for many months and I can tell you, this is not a good financial move for them.
-But it’s a great kingdom move. It’s a treasure in heaven move.
-It’s a move to pick God over money and security and safety.
-And it’s a move that God will bless.
-So how to make the shift in our hearts and minds?
-How do we adopt this upside down way of looking at money?
-Jesus didn’t leave us to wonder. He gives some great action step
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
-The first thing is to stop worrying.
-Worry is the worship of the money God.
-We have worries and believe that money will fix everything.
-But it doesn’t. And so we keep worrying.
26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
-The second thing is to have faith.
-Look around. God provides for the birds. God provides for the fields. God cares much more about us than birds or fields.
-God sees, God knows, God will provide.
-Put your trust in our God.
-Stop living to get more, have more, and more and more.
-Stop putting your trust in money and stuff.
-That’s not the way of disciples. Listen to verse 31:
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
-You see? Worry is for unbelievers, not disciples.
-Worry is normal, it’s a human emotion. But where you turn with your worries is what marks us as followers of Christ.
-And where do we turn? He tells in verse 33!
33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
-Throughout the Bible we are warned about the dangers of greed. So what’s the remedy?
-Putting God and the things of God always first.
-Who did he say this to? Peasants on a hillside outside of town
-What’s the context? What was he talking about? Money.
-So what does it mean to put God first in the area of money?
-So the remedy for greed, all throughout the New Testament is to let go of money. Be generous with it. Give it away.
-I know: crazy. Upside down and backwards.
-The antidote for greed is generosity.
-My wife and I came here to start this church and every month we write a check for 10% of our paychecks. That’s a chunk of money.
-In our almost 28 years of marriage we’ve always given at least 10% of our money to our local church.
-When we lived in a single wide trailer and had two babies we gave 10%.
-When I was donating plasma to help pay bills we tithed.
-When I was a poor youth pastor and she was a stay at home mom we tithed.
-When we had a kid in college we tithed.
-When we had two kids in college we tithed.
-We’re now double income no kids and we can give even more.
-I’m not saying that to boast about us, but about God.
-In all those years we’ve never missed a tithe and we’ve also never missed paying a bill.
-We put God first in our finances and he has given us everything we need.
-But you know what it has cost us? Giving all those years has meant there are some things we couldn’t buy.
-There are some trips we couldn’t take.
-There are some items we couldn’t purchase.
-At times we’ve had to go with cheaper cars and smaller homes.
-We’ve had to say “no” to ourselves in order to say “yes” to God
-If you have trouble giving generously and sacrificially, it’s not a financial problem, it’s a heart problem.
-The God of greed says, you can’t afford to give…God says you can’t afford not to.
-The God of greed says, you won’t have enough. God says, you already have more than enough…in Jesus.
-Put me first, and I’ll take care of the rest.
-During the Great Depression there was a man named Ira Yates who owned a sheep ranch in West Texas.
-Times were so tough that he was struggling to pay the bank and was in danger of losing his land.
-Day after day he grazed his sheep and agonized over how he would pay those mounting bills.
-Then one day a seismographic crew from the Transcontinental Oil Company came into the area and did some tests on his land.
-After the tests came back favorably, they asked permission to drill a well and he signed a lease contract which made him partners with them should they strike oil.
-Well they did strike oil and Mr. Yates became a very wealthy man.
-But Ironically, he was already rich the day he bought the land, he just didn’t know it.
-He was a multimillionaire living in total poverty.
https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/yates-ira-griffith-jr
-I think that’s how it goes with us.
-We get all caught up, clamoring, scheming, worrying and wondering about money.
-All the while forgetting…that we have everything we need…that we are already blessed beyond measure…that we are already rich, because of what we have in Christ.
