Jesus gives us an interesting section in the sermon on the mount towards the end of chapter 6.  He talks about money and treasure.  Not pirates treasure but treasure being the things that we possess.  Jesus does not say that money or possessions are bad.  His focus is on what drives us and motivates us in life.  If we are driven by money and possessions then our priorities have become out of whack.  When God and building His kingdom are our priorities then we are in a good place.  Let’s look at His words together today. 

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

It is good and even godly to work hard and provide for your family.  This does not interfere with your ultimate priority to love God and our neighbors and to share His love with the world.  In fact it often takes money to help and accomplish that.  The problem is when our drive for money becomes the thing that is most important.  It is like Jesus’ encounter with the rich young ruler.  Jesus tells him to sell all he has and give to the poor and then come follow Jesus.  He says this not because money is bad but because for this man it has become what is most important.  Jesus knows our hearts and was showing this man where his heart truly was.  I pray that our hearts would keep God where He belongs, as our priority, our first love. I pray that not money or anything else would take the place of what should be first for all of us. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave