Problems With Lack Of Faith

PROBLEMS WITH LACK OF FAITH

Matthew 6:19-34

INTRODUCTION

ILLUSTRATION WHOEVER ISN’T SCHIZOPHRENIC these days isn’t thinking clearly.—LIFE magazine, January 1981

We can avoid becoming schizophrenic if we learn to live by faith regularly. One application of living by faith is relative to our material needs. Living by faith requires trusting God for our material provisions. (Read Matthew 6:19-34) Our passage says that we should trust God for our material provisions instead of worrying. Why should we trust God for our material provisions?

EXPOSITION

1. Failure to trust God for our material provisions would result to INAPPROPRIATE ACTIONS in fulfilling our needs. (vv. 19-24)

Verse 25 concludes that we should not worry about material provisions. The Greek word translated “worry” literally means “to be drawn in different directions.” Worry pulls us apart. Thus the common picture of a worried person is a restless person walking back and forth. What are the indications that man worries about material provisions?

The answer is found in verses 19-24 where Jesus used the images of two treasures, two eyes, and two masters. Failure to trust God for our materials provisions would result to inappropriate actions, that is we think that we can both aim for two treasures, or focus our eyes to two objects, and serve two masters. Jesus said no.

Read verses 19-21. These verses do not say that it is wrong to have wealth. The Bible commends work and provision for the future (SEE Proverbs 6:6-8), and encourages us to be good steward of the resources God entrusted to us. (SEE Matthew 25:14-23)

Jesus would like to point out that we cannot both keep enriching ourselves on earth and in heaven at the same time. We need to choose between the two by comparing the disadvantage and advantage of each. Earthly treasure is not secure and lasting while heavenly treasure is secure and lasting.

Jesus also pointed out that where your treasure is there your heart will be also. If you choose to keep storing up treasures for yourself on earth then your heart’s commitment is in earthly matters. If you choose to keep storing up treasures for yourself in heaven then your heart’s commitment is in the will of the heavenly Father.

What is going to happen if we choose to be rich on earth? (SEE Luke 12:16-21) If we choose to be rich in heaven, then we need to do the following: (1)PUT SOME RESTRAINT IN ACQUIRING EARHTLY TREASURE (SEE Proverbs 23:4-5), (2)BE GENEROUS AND RICH IN GOOD DEEDS (SEE 1 Timothy 6:17-19) and (3)TRUST GOD FOR HIS PROVISIONS (SEE Luke 12:33-34)

In like manner, we cannot focus our eyes on two objects – earthly goals and heavenly goals, and experience positive effect in our lives. Lastly, we cannot serve two masters – God and money. Either you will hate the one and love the other or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.

Jesus is therefore saying that the man who "divides his interest and tries to focus on both God and possessions ... has no clear vision, and will live without clear orientation or direction." This is the reason we see believers who compromise and live a dual lifestyle and personality.

2. Failure to trust God for our material provisions would result to UNNECESSARY SUFFERINGS in life. (vv. 25-30)

ILLUSTRATION

Slow me down, Lord.

Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind.

Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time.

Give me, amid the confusion of the day, the calmness of the everlasting hills.

Break the tension of my nerves and muscles with the soothing music of the singing streams that live in my memory.

Teach me the art of taking minute vacations—of slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to pat a dog, to smile at a child, to read a few lines from a good book.

Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me to send my roots deep into the soil of life’s enduring values, that I may grow toward my greater destiny.

Remind me each day that the race is not always to the swift; that there is more to life than increasing its speed.

Let me look upward to the towering oak and know that it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well.

Why should we not worry about our material provisions? Here Jesus talked about provision for living and for the body. For living – food and drink; for the body – clothes to wear. He used the birds as illustration of God’s commitment to provide food and he used the lilies as illustration of God’s commitment to provide clothing.

Jesus mentioned two reasons to avoid worrying and trust God instead for our material provisions: