July 1, 2001
The Treasure Chest – Part 1
Look at your outline in the bulletin. If you don’t have a bulletin, grab a prayer request card, or some scrap of paper. Draw a line, and underneath it, in a column, put the numbers 1, 2 and 3.
Here’s what I want you to do. On the line, write down one item you own that you really like a lot. (This isn’t a trick, so you don’t have to write down “My Bible” just because you’re in church.) Just write down something you own that you really appreciate. If you really like your house, write down your house. If it’s an item of jewelry write it down. If it’s a power tool or appliance, same thing.
Now, as fast as you can, write down 3 things you would not like to have happen to that item.
Item: _______________________________________________
1.
2.
3.
OK. Now, I want you to stand up, get in groups of 2-3 and share what you wrote down.
(Allow about a minute – “Alright, go ahead and be seated again.”)
I thought of my car. I wouldn’t want it to get into an accident, wouldn’t want it to get stolen, wouldn’t want the transmission to go out.
I just got a new White Sox hat. I’m wearing it to the game tomorrow night. I wouldn’t want it to get sat on, spilled on, or ever get worn by a Cubs fan.
As we’ve examined the Sermon on the Mount we’ve seen that the first part of Matthew 6 says, “Don’t make the mistakes of the religious.” Now, this second part essentially warns us, “Don’t make the mistakes of the irreligious.”
The words of Jesus in Matthew 6:19 say…
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
What Jesus wants us to realize…
Big Idea: My stuff is not safe here.
On March 3, 1995, a 38-year-old man was walking to his temporary job at a warehouse up in Rosemont, IL. For some reason he must have thought that the quickest way to get there was to cut straight across all 8 lanes of the busy Tri-State Tollway. After he managed to cross the four northbound lanes a gust of wind blew off his hat. The hat flew back across the northbound lanes, and he chased it. Unfortunately, that’s when a semi-truck struck and killed him.
A person can lose everything by chasing after nothing.
TRANSITION: Don’t do it. Don’t chase after things. Don’t store them up. Because they’re not safe here.
Why then would we ever consider storing up treasures on earth? The answer is…
I. WE GET LURED INTO THINKING STUFF WILL SATISFY
Back in 2 Kings 5, we find the interesting story of a man named Gehazi. He was the trusted servant of the great prophet Elisha. Elisha had just helped a Namaan, a great army commander, be healed of leprosy. Namaan wanted to pay Elisha, but Elisha refused. So Gehazi runs off after Namann, tells him that Elisha has changed his mind. He wants the gifts after all. So Gehazi takes the goods and keeps them for himself. Here is a man who was quiet, faithful and loyal, but he entertained private thoughts of materialistic greed. Who would have ever guessed? But when the test came, the once trusted-servant was trapped.
And then there is Demas. Here is his sad obituary from the pen of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:10. Demas, because he loved this world has deserted me. A trusted friend, a traveling companion, one who no doubt would have talked and prayed with Paul, one who would have known the hardships and heartaches of ministry as well as victories that had been shared together – lured away. Very tragic.
ILLUS – I went fishing one night this past week with one of our Elders. We were using lures. After it was dark, I caught my only 2 fish – a pretty Striped Bass and a good sized Large Mouth Bass. For some reason the fish is attracted to the lure. He reaches for it, and with mouth wide open, thinks, “I got it! Not only that, but it feels like I hooked it into my lip. HaHa! Mine! This thing isn’t getting away!”
Who has who? Does the fish have the lure, or does the lure now have the fish? Within a few seconds, the fish discovers the painful truth. I don’t have this thing. This thing has me!
Fish have tiny brains, but I’m convinced we’re not so quick to learn.
When it comes to things – many of us want more and more. We may think, when I get that, then I’ll really be satisfied. We keep, so we think, reeling things in. But after awhile, a person who’s laying up treasures on earth isn’t doing the reeling. They’ve taken the bait. They’re hooked. Instead of owning things, their things own them. And they become another victim of the lure.
The lure of a lesser loyalty. And this is what Jesus is warning us about. Your loyalty as a member of the Kingdom, is to God. Don’t get lured into a lesser loyalty. Not by anything. And certainly not by the seemingly shiny, glittering and eye-catching things of the earth.
TRANSITION: Instead…
II. JESUS SAYS, “DON’T STORE UP STUFF.”
Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.
To better understand this, let’s realize first…
What He’s not saying…
Not banning possessions
Scripture never forbids the ownership of private property.
One of the 10 Commandments says, “Thou shall not steal.” That means I’m not to steal what belongs to someone else, nor are they to take what is mine. The Bible makes it clear that its OK to own things.
Not condemning wise investments
Proverbs 6:6 praises the ant for storing up food for the winter months.
In 1 Timothy 5:8 a believer who makes no provision for his family is strongly rebuked.
Nothing wrong with prudent saving.
Not restricting proper enjoyment
That is, material things are not necessarily to be despised.
1 Timothy 6:17 speaks of God giving us good things that He has created for our enjoyment.
What He is saying…
Stuff is temporary
(Earth is a place where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal)
Illus – In ancient times, clothing was a considerable investment. And, I might add, that if you spend much time at Oakbrook Center Mall, you’ll find it still is today. Back in Jesus’ day, the rich would sometimes have threads of gold woven into their garments – both to display and store their wealth.
The best clothes were made of wool, which to a moth is the equivalent of Filet Mignon. So even the rich had trouble protecting their closets from harm.
The word here for “rust” literally means “eating.” It could refer to rats or mice. Grain in storehouses was not safe, nor are precious metals that can be eaten away by corrosion.
And Jesus says, things that were not eaten by moth or rodent or rust might be taken away by thieves digging their way into a house.
To keep our treasures secure, we sometimes put them into something called a “safe.” Maybe at home or at the bank. A “safe.” Isn’t that an interesting word.
Parable of the Rich fool
Ecclesiastes – vanity, just means all these things are transient. They are not enduring. They are cursed with temporality.
Let’s face it! None of our possessions is entirely safe or permanent. Houses can burn, cars can be scratched, dinged, dented or hit, stock markets can crash, boats can be sunk, new ties can get spilled on, furniture and carpet can be stained – Nothing is entirely safe! Jesus is saying these earthly goods carry no security. Job said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.” You can’t take it with you. Very seldom do you see a U-Haul hitched to the back of a hearse.
Stuff here is temporary. And because of that, Jesus also says…
Don’t hoard it
The key word in verse 19 is probably “yourselves.”
(Do not store up for YOURSELVES treasures on earth). To honestly earn, save, and give is wise and good. But to stockpile and hoard and spend only on ourselves is not only unwise, but sinful.
Illus. There’s a real temptation when young people are first out on their own to accumulate everything their parents had. One young lady described her philosophy of shopping as, “Mastercard it and pray for the rapture!” What people sometimes forget is that it took their parents 20-30 years to work up to having the things they do now.
I remember moving into my home in Park Forest right out of a college dorm-room. Recent graduate, 22 years old, first full-time job. All I had was a bed, a dresser, a papa san chair, a brand new stereo that I had just bought with my graduation money, and an old TV and VCR given to my by a family in the church. My first night there I thought, “This is awesome! My own place, my own TV, VCR, brand new stereo! I’m livin’ large, and it doesn’t get any better than this!”
But by the second night I already thought, “This is totally ignorant!” I was starving to death. I had no food, no plates, no table. The only thing in my kitchen was this stupid plastic Batman cup that I had gotten from Taco Bell. At a crucial moment it also dawned on me that I had no toilet paper. So here I was surrounded by everything I had ever wanted, and having absolutely nothing I really NEEDED!
But that’s how it can be after awhile of spending only on ourselves. We can end up with a lot of things we like, but don’t really need.
III. QUESTIONS TO ASK OURSELVES
My sister Melody has been having some pain in back and in her shoulder. Thought it was a pinched nerve. So she went to the doctor recently, and they did a lot of tests. She was told on Wednesday of this past week that she has lung cancer. 45 years old. Never smoked. Tumor the size of a tennis ball in her lung. Find out this week what her treatment options are. I’m praying that the tumor will just disappear. Melody doesn’t own a lot of stuff, but, like anyone, she has some possessions that are valuable to her. But if you asked her today, in the grand scheme of things, how much satisfaction her possessions are giving her right now, you might be surprised to find that she’s not all that focused on the things of this world. If you asked her what she wants for Christmas this year, you might find that the present she’d want is something you and I could never buy. She’d just want to be here and be healthy this Christmas.
Owning things and obtaining things aren’t big concerns to Melody today. But to many of us, the pursuit of owning and obtaining things is a pretty big part of who we are. Some of us probably even have plans to go shopping this afternoon – to purchase several things we need, as well as a few more things we could do without. So here’s a question…Will we remember that Jesus plainly says, “Don’t store up treasures for yourself on earth?”
Your car – someday will be in a scrap heap
Your house – someday will get torn down
Your home furnishings – they’ll tarnish, fade, wear out and tear
Wedding ring – someday passed on to a descendant you will have never met
Your investments – Can’t take them with you – over time they’ll be spent by someone else
Maybe our hearts are fixed on earthly treasures. Maybe we have sold out to a lesser loyalty. I hope we haven’t.
So let’s ask ourselves…
Is my giving generous?
Do I readily help others, even as I enjoy God’s gracious provisions?
Am I genuinely unselfish, openhanded, great-hearted, and free from materialistic addictions?
Why do I want that second job?
Why am I working such long hours?
Why have I deliberately put my family on hold while playing Russian roulette with greed?
Why do I feel happier after I go shopping?
Why is my credit card maxxed out?
When will I be able to say, “Enough!”
(Object lesson – pick up silver platter trophy from State Fair 1982)
When I first received this, it would shine like the sun. For awhile had it on display – so proud of it. Then I went away to college and sealed it up in a bag – took it out a couple of years ago – now it looks like this. Horribly tarnished. Tarn-X won’t take that off. Probably could find someone to clean it up and make it look like new, but to tell you the truth, I don’t mind it like this. It’s a good reminder to me. I’m living in a place where moth and rust destroy – a place where thieves break in a steal – my things aren’t safe here. And I don’t want to get lured into thinking they are.
Remember what the old hymn says? So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.
TRANSITION: Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.
WRAP-UP
Robert Robinson was born in England more than 200 years ago. While learning the trade of barbering in London, Robinson was won to Christ by the great revivalist George Whitefield, and then began to study for the ministry. At the young age of 25, he was called to pastor a Baptist church in Cambridge where he became very successful. But his popularity was more than he could handle. His faith began to lapse and he fell into some serious sins of the flesh. As the years passed, he faded from the scene and few even remembered his earlier years of devotion to Jesus Christ.
Some time later, Robinson was making a trip by stagecoach and happened to sit next to a woman who was reading a book, and obviously enjoying it. She seemed especially interested in one page of the volume, because she kept returning to it again and again. Finally she turned to Robinson, a complete stranger to her, and held the page toward him. Pointing to a hymn she had been reading there, she asked what he thought of it.
He looked at the first few lines:
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing thy grace
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise…
He read no further. Turning his head, he attempted to direct the lady’s attention to the passing landscape. But she wouldn’t change the subject. She told him how the words of that hymn had been important in her life, how she appreciated its message.
And then overcome with emotion, Robinson burst into tears. And he said to her, “Ma’am, I’m the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them to enjoy the feelings I had then.”
He was older, light years removed from his earlier commitment to Jesus, and his faith had eroded. In a rather ironic fashion the end of the hymn seems to have prophesied his downward course
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to thee
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it;
Seal it for thy courts above
Wander, he did. Robert Robinson died shortly after that encounter at the age of 55, the victim of being lured in by a lesser loyalty.
Don’t let stuff lure you in. It isn’t safe here.
Live for the stuff that lasts forever.
