January 8, 2026 • 24 mins
Investing… a common practice for some, not at all for others. But does the Bible encourage us to invest? If so, how? We’ll look at these questions today.
Matt. 6:19-21
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
So this passage is not telling us that accumulation of any kind
is wrong. In fact, Jesus tells us to
accumulate. He just tells us to accumulate
in heaven, not on earth. Now this is somewhat surprising
when you think about it, becausewe, unless we read carefully,
tend immediately to think that Jesus is saying don't store up
(00:22):
for yourselves. Instead, give stuff away.
Welcome to the God centered lifewith Josh Moody.
We're in Matthew chapter 6 today, verses 19 through 21.
This is part of our 2020 Vision series and today we're talking
about giving. Josh Moody is senior pastor of
(00:43):
College Church in Wheaton, IL Thanks for joining us for this
study, Josh. This passage seems to be one
that can be misunderstood rathereasily, and as a result we can
end up with some bad ideas abouthow to honour God with our
money. I really think that's the case.
Money is such a sensitive topic to teach on that often times
(01:05):
pastors just avoid teaching on it at all.
And of course that leads to confusion and lack of clarity
and. Understanding and this.
Passage itself can't easily be misunderstood as well underneath
that umbrella of general teaching about money.
And so it's important that we listen carefully to what Jesus
says. He's not here calling for a
monastic, ascetic, anti fruitfulness message, nor is he
(01:29):
actually anti treasure. And so it's really fascinating
what he actually teaches. Let's jump in 6th chapter of the
book of Matthew. We're going to start with what
the text is not saying. Here's Josh.
Well, my friends, when we come to a passage like this one, we
need first of all to be clear why it is that we are studying
(01:53):
it. We are not studying this passage
because college, churches, finances are in a terrible
situation and the leaders have decided we need a big push to
get us to get more money. Now we are studying this passage
(02:14):
this morning because last week was our 2020 Vision Sunday and
this week is our 2020 giving focus in light of that vision.
So you see that we have a littlesection now of emphasizing our
core vision, giving and mission this season.
(02:38):
Our vision, we have said, needs to be undergirded by prayer,
hence the concert of prayer and giving as a commitment.
Now when we say commitment, that's not a task that you just
have to check off on your To Do List.
And no, it's a fruit of the spirit.
It's, it's a barometer of our spirituality, not the weather
(03:02):
that God makes in our lives. You see what I mean?
It's a barometer of our spirituality.
And this text, of course, is a classic text from the Bible
about giving from the lips of our Lord Jesus, investing in
heaven and all that. And so that is why we're
studying this passage this morning.
(03:24):
Let me, let me put it for you like this.
If on Monday I hear that our giving is up, I will of course
be pleased. But if on Monday I also hear
that generous giving has gone tosome other gospel cause that I
am personally not responsible for, then.
I'll be equally. Pleased.
(03:45):
So this passage is not an excuseto squeeze more blood from the
stone of our own personal finances to give towards college
church's budget. Of course, giving towards
college church's budget or vision may well be an
application of this sermon, but it's not the point of this
(04:07):
sermon. What then is the point of this
sermon? Well, the point of this sermon
is the point of this text that is before us this morning.
So let's look at that text, which is Matthew chapter 6 and
19 to 21. Matthew 6 verses 19 to 21.
Listen to God's Word. Do not store up for yourselves
(04:32):
treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where
thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves
treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and
where thieves do not break in and steal.
(04:52):
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Now, having said that, the pointof this sermon is the point of
this text. In good Bible teaching fashion,
it is important immediately to say that the point of this text
is not as obvious as it appears on the surface.
(05:16):
For instance, there are several things that people often think
this passage is saying which it really is not.
This text is not saying do not store up.
Period. Jesus is not telling us not to
store up. He is telling us not to store up
(05:38):
on earth, but instead to store up in heaven.
So this passage is not telling us that accumulation of any kind
is wrong. In fact, Jesus tells us to
accumulate. He just tells us to accumulate
in heaven, not on earth. Now this is somewhat surprising
(06:02):
when you think about it, becausewe, unless we really carefully,
tend immediately to think that Jesus is saying don't store up
for yourselves, instead give stuff away.
But Jesus does not say quite that here.
Jesus says don't store up on earth, instead store up in
heaven. And this is a little bit
shocking, but it is clearly whathe is saying, even though it is
(06:24):
frequently missed. In other words, this text cannot
be taken out of balance with other passages in Scripture that
speak to the importance of providing for your family.
Well, to provide for my family, I sure need to store things up.
And the Bible says that if a mandoes not provide for his family,
(06:47):
he's doing worse than the pagans.
In other words, not against the pagans.
In other words, provision for our family is just a basic human
aspect of life, which just because I'm now a Christian, I
am not at liberty to ignore. In fact, I must not ignore.
And so being a redeemed person as a Christian does not make me
(07:09):
less human. It makes me more fully human,
more as I was meant to be, as designed by my Creator to be.
So I provide for my family, which means I store things up.
Or proverbs in the Old Testament, which tells us of the
importance of being careful withour resources, not getting into
debt and all that kind of good prudent advice.
(07:33):
The Ant stores it's provisions for the future.
So should we? We should work hard and be ready
with resources against a rainy day.
Cannot take this out of balance.Also with parts of the Bible
(07:55):
that simply affirm that God wants us to enjoy life.
So one Timothy chapter 4 verse 4says for everything God created
is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with
Thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God
and prayer, we can enjoy life. Christians are not ascetics.
(08:19):
We worship the Lord who is the maker of heaven and earth.
And as His redeemed people, we are now more fully able to enjoy
the creation. For as we enjoy the creation all
around us, we are able to worship Him who made the
creation. We're enjoying creation as it
was meant to be as a worship to the Creator.
(08:44):
Now all of that is not in the observation that Jesus does not
say don't store up, but rather don't store up on earth, instead
do store up in heaven. But all of that is part of the
biblical worldview, which is notanti the physical nor the
material, nor wants to make us all live a simply unpleasant
(09:08):
life. 1/3 observation will be drawn from this text
momentarily, but in the meantime, wanted to let you know
that if you want to drop us a line, if the post office is your
form of communication, PO Box 1025, Wheaton, IL 6 O 187 would
get it done. We'd love to hear from you
(09:30):
however you do it. You can contact us through our
website as well. Back into our study in Matthew
Chapter 6. Now here's Josh.
Which brings us to another observation on this text which
is frequently missed, which is that this text is not saying
don't be selfish. It is frequently said that Jesus
(09:51):
says do not store up treasures for yourselves, as if that is
where he finished his statement.And So what is preached is that
we are not to be selfish. We are not to store up treasures
for ourselves. Well, we are not to be selfish.
So that's a perfectly good message.
But is that actually what this passage says?
(10:13):
Rather shockingly, it is not. Jesus certainly says do not
store up treasures for yourselves.
But then he also says, but storeup for yourselves treasures in
heaven. So the contrast is not between
storing up treasures for yourselves and giving treasures
(10:35):
away to other people, which would be a message about
selfishness. No, the contrast is between
storing up treasures for yourselves on earth, which Jesus
tells us not to do. But rather than instead storing
up treasures for yourselves in heaven, Jesus assumes that in
(10:56):
both cases, this storing up is for yourself.
In fact, he tells us it is for yourself.
What's different is where you store up, whether on earth or in
heaven. So Jesus is not saying here
don't be selfish, He is saying don't be foolish.
He is assuming self-interest that all of us want what is best
(11:20):
for us. But He is showing us that what
we think is best for us is really not best for us.
Naturally we all want what the ancient philosophers called the
summum bonum, that is the highest good, the summum bonum.
(11:42):
We all naturally seek the good life, the best life that we can
get. What Jesus is saying is that
because of the fall and our fallen nature, we perceive
things wrong now, So what we think is best for ourselves.
Story up treasures on earth is not really best for ourselves,
(12:04):
which is instead actually storing up treasure in heaven
for ourselves. So Jesus is not saying first do
not store up, nor is Jesus saying second don't be selfish.
Instead he is saying understand what is actually best for
(12:24):
yourself. Which certainly isn't
selfishness, but that is not hispoint here.
What is best for yourself is story of treasures in heaven for
yourself. Now that is not what we would
typically say about this subject.
But just because it is not what we would typically say about
(12:45):
this subject, we need to listen especially carefully to it.
So we're just looking at the ways this text is misunderstood
sometimes. 1st that it is sayingdon't be prudent, don't store up
which it is not saying. 2nd, that it is saying don't be
selfish when really it is sayingunderstand what is actually best
(13:06):
for yourself. Have the mind of Christ about
this. But then third, this text is
also frequently, if not misinterpreted, then
domesticated or tamed by saying that Jesus is talking about more
than money. Well, surely Jesus is talking
(13:30):
about more than money, for thereare many other things that we
can treasure beside money. But Jesus is here talking
primarily about money. A few verses later, he will
contrast serving God with serving money, or mammon, an
Aramaic word for wealth. Now my highest treasure may not
(13:55):
be money, it might be fame or the respect of other people.
And then to apply this text to the idolatrous treasures of my
heart, even the religious treasures which Jesus has been
talking about previous to this text in Matthew chapter 6, of
trying to impress other people with our religious performances
(14:18):
rather than gain praise for God.Those kinds of broadening of the
application of this few verses, these few verses here is of
course appropriate. And Jesus shows us the way to do
that. But that kind of broadening of
the application cannot or shouldnot be done in such a way as to
blunt what Jesus is saying. My mammon, my money is a
(14:48):
treasure that I am to invest in heaven, not on earth.
He is talking about money, even if it's not only money, and even
if the poor can be as obsessed, if not more obsessed, with money
than the rich. 4th This text, ofcourse, is not saying that the
(15:11):
way to get saved is by giving away your money.
When you read this text in the context of the Sermon on the
Mount, that thought is impossible.
And Jesus has said at the beginning of the sermon and the
famous beatitudes that set the tone for the whole spiritual
tenor of the sermon. Jesus has said blessed are the
(15:33):
poor in spirit, blessed are those whose hunger and thirst
for righteousness. And so the reward here is given
not to those who are self-righteous or confident that
their own moral works are going to get them to heaven.
The reward here is an expressionof Christ's work in the born
(15:54):
again Christian as a fruit. All those who simply trust in
Christ will be saved, and all those who simply trust in Christ
will bear fruit. And there is a reward for
Christians for their godliness and holiness.
That is an appendage to the workof Christ in us, as the phrase
(16:17):
sometimes is. All our works are an expression
of Christ's work in us. Their work shall follow them as
Revelation says, and that is a motivation to all of us
Christians to fleece in, cast off unrighteousness, and seek to
(16:38):
honour Jesus by storing up treasures in heaven. 5th And
finally in this list of things that the text is not saying
before we can see what it is saying, this text is not simply
saying invest in heaven because heaven is a more safe investment
(17:06):
than earth. That is certainly an aspect of
what Jesus is saying. He is very clear about that,
isn't he? He says don't invest on earth
because rust and moths can destroy their the rust or the
eating up of decay. The moths destroying clothes
(17:31):
stored and handed down as a treasure from one generation to
the next when clothes were less frequently interchanged than
they are today. The thieves breaking in or
digging through the mud walls ofthe ancient world to get the
(17:51):
jewels that do not so easily decay, but can still be stolen.
So Jesus is clearly telling us that by contrast, heaven is a
secure investment. There in heaven, no moths
destroy, no rust corrodes, and no thieves can steal.
(18:14):
The economy will not crash, banks will not fail, and stocks
will not go down as well as up. Yes, that is part of what Jesus
is saying here, and it's clearlyintended as a motivation for us
to invest our lives in heavenly pursuits.
(18:36):
Yes, but it is not the final clinching argument of what Jesus
is saying here, is it? You can actually find similar
arguments about investing in heaven being a safer investment
than investing on earth in otherJewish writings from around this
time, but Jesus has something more to offer in addition to
(19:02):
that. So what I think this text is
primarily saying is that investing in heaven is a means
to release our heart, the control centre of our lives.
(19:24):
Verse 21 For where your treasureis, there your heart will be
also. The passage is structured around
a negation. Don't do this and then a
positive command Instead do thiswith a reason for where your
(19:48):
treasure is there your heart will be also.
Yes, there are subsidiary reasons given before the final
clinching reason. The the lesser reasons of the
moth, the rust, the thieves, butthe clinching reason is the
final one in verse 21. Why are we doing all this?
Why are we commanded not to do this, but to do the other?
(20:08):
Because for investing in heaven is a way to release.
Your heart. Jesus is being pastoral, not
prophetic, if you see what I mean.
He is coming alongside and helping his fledgling disciples
to be released from one of the classic traps of this world that
(20:31):
can dampen our enthusiasm, spoilour witness, and lead to the
degeneration of our churches. Don't store up treasures for
yourselves. He understands the human desire
for flourishing success benefit and He does not deny it.
Instead, He wishes pastorally tohelp us see where true
(20:55):
flourishing success benefit comes.
Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.
Why? This will release your heart.
Well, that then is what the textis saying.
How do we go about doing it? How do we invest in heaven?
(21:18):
Of course the answer is to live a Sermon on the Mount lifestyle.
If you are persecuted for Jesus sake, your reward will be great.
Jesus has said if you live with a heavenly focus in giving, not
(21:42):
to impress those around you, butto get praise from God, in
praying to get praise from God, in fasting, to get praise from
God, all this will lead to a heavenly reward.
That's Josh Moody and this is the God centered life.
(22:05):
We're going to deep dive into. How do we invest in heaven when
we get together next time. In the meantime, Josh, that
treasure and heart link seems tobe broadly applicable.
Treasure, heart connected. And you go even further using
the phrase heart release. And I take it from that you're
(22:27):
implying that there's a slavery of the heart to earthly
treasure. There can be, can't there?
And here Jesus teaching is actually helping us release
ourselves from that slavery. If we are those who are
generous, then money is put backin its right place as a.
Tool. Rather than something that
(22:49):
dominates and controls our lives.
So the way to the way to be released from the from the
slavery of of money is actually to become generous.
And I want to make sure I understand this because when you
hear where your treasure is, there your heart will be also is
kind of a passive, the two things coexisting.
But you're actually saying the treasure is in control of the
(23:12):
heart in some cases? Well, in control or it becomes
a. Drawing, overpowering.
Way of drawing. So if you want to have your
heart more and more for Jesus and more and more for God and
more and more for heaven, I'll put your treasure there because
where your treasure is there your heart will be also.
So it's diagnostic, but it's also attractive it it pulls you
(23:36):
in that direction. And so it's a release we'll.
Talk more about this diagnostic releasing investment strategy
when we get together next time. Thanks, Josh.
We are grateful for those who are investing in this particular
gospel distribution ministry. We are operating by faith and
solely reliant on the gifts you provide us.
(23:57):
We say thank you by sending along a book that Josh selects
each month. And this month we've selected
Josh and his new book. Our firm foundation, God
Centered life.org is where you can find out more about this
book and get your own copy gift of any amount.
We'll be happy to send it your way and you'll be helping this
ministry continue God Centered life.org next time.
(24:21):
It's a heart enlargement. Seems to be in who we are as
created and fallen people, in who we are as Christian people.
There is something about the human heart that is diminished
by keeping, but that is enlargedby giving.
Continuing our look at the book of Matthew when we get together
(24:42):
next time, God Centered life.orgresources for you.
And this is your warm invitationto join us for the next edition
of The God Centered Life with Josh Moody.
So this passage is not telling us that accumulation of any kind
is wrong. In fact, Jesus tells us to
accumulate. He just tells us to accumulate
in heaven, not on earth. Now this is somewhat surprising
when you think about it, becausewe, unless we read carefully,
tend immediately to think that Jesus is saying don't store up
(00:22):
for yourselves. Instead, give stuff away.
Welcome to the God centered lifewith Josh Moody.
We're in Matthew chapter 6 today, verses 19 through 21.
This is part of our 2020 Vision series and today we're talking
about giving. Josh Moody is senior pastor of
(00:43):
College Church in Wheaton, IL Thanks for joining us for this
study, Josh. This passage seems to be one
that can be misunderstood rathereasily, and as a result we can
end up with some bad ideas abouthow to honour God with our
money. I really think that's the case.
Money is such a sensitive topic to teach on that often times
(01:05):
pastors just avoid teaching on it at all.
And of course that leads to confusion and lack of clarity
and. Understanding and this.
Passage itself can't easily be misunderstood as well underneath
that umbrella of general teaching about money.
And so it's important that we listen carefully to what Jesus
says. He's not here calling for a
monastic, ascetic, anti fruitfulness message, nor is he
(01:29):
actually anti treasure. And so it's really fascinating
what he actually teaches. Let's jump in 6th chapter of the
book of Matthew. We're going to start with what
the text is not saying. Here's Josh.
Well, my friends, when we come to a passage like this one, we
need first of all to be clear why it is that we are studying
(01:53):
it. We are not studying this passage
because college, churches, finances are in a terrible
situation and the leaders have decided we need a big push to
get us to get more money. Now we are studying this passage
(02:14):
this morning because last week was our 2020 Vision Sunday and
this week is our 2020 giving focus in light of that vision.
So you see that we have a littlesection now of emphasizing our
core vision, giving and mission this season.
(02:38):
Our vision, we have said, needs to be undergirded by prayer,
hence the concert of prayer and giving as a commitment.
Now when we say commitment, that's not a task that you just
have to check off on your To Do List.
And no, it's a fruit of the spirit.
It's, it's a barometer of our spirituality, not the weather
(03:02):
that God makes in our lives. You see what I mean?
It's a barometer of our spirituality.
And this text, of course, is a classic text from the Bible
about giving from the lips of our Lord Jesus, investing in
heaven and all that. And so that is why we're
studying this passage this morning.
(03:24):
Let me, let me put it for you like this.
If on Monday I hear that our giving is up, I will of course
be pleased. But if on Monday I also hear
that generous giving has gone tosome other gospel cause that I
am personally not responsible for, then.
I'll be equally. Pleased.
(03:45):
So this passage is not an excuseto squeeze more blood from the
stone of our own personal finances to give towards college
church's budget. Of course, giving towards
college church's budget or vision may well be an
application of this sermon, but it's not the point of this
(04:07):
sermon. What then is the point of this
sermon? Well, the point of this sermon
is the point of this text that is before us this morning.
So let's look at that text, which is Matthew chapter 6 and
19 to 21. Matthew 6 verses 19 to 21.
Listen to God's Word. Do not store up for yourselves
(04:32):
treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where
thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves
treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and
where thieves do not break in and steal.
(04:52):
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Now, having said that, the pointof this sermon is the point of
this text. In good Bible teaching fashion,
it is important immediately to say that the point of this text
is not as obvious as it appears on the surface.
(05:16):
For instance, there are several things that people often think
this passage is saying which it really is not.
This text is not saying do not store up.
Period. Jesus is not telling us not to
store up. He is telling us not to store up
(05:38):
on earth, but instead to store up in heaven.
So this passage is not telling us that accumulation of any kind
is wrong. In fact, Jesus tells us to
accumulate. He just tells us to accumulate
in heaven, not on earth. Now this is somewhat surprising
(06:02):
when you think about it, becausewe, unless we really carefully,
tend immediately to think that Jesus is saying don't store up
for yourselves, instead give stuff away.
But Jesus does not say quite that here.
Jesus says don't store up on earth, instead store up in
heaven. And this is a little bit
shocking, but it is clearly whathe is saying, even though it is
(06:24):
frequently missed. In other words, this text cannot
be taken out of balance with other passages in Scripture that
speak to the importance of providing for your family.
Well, to provide for my family, I sure need to store things up.
And the Bible says that if a mandoes not provide for his family,
(06:47):
he's doing worse than the pagans.
In other words, not against the pagans.
In other words, provision for our family is just a basic human
aspect of life, which just because I'm now a Christian, I
am not at liberty to ignore. In fact, I must not ignore.
And so being a redeemed person as a Christian does not make me
(07:09):
less human. It makes me more fully human,
more as I was meant to be, as designed by my Creator to be.
So I provide for my family, which means I store things up.
Or proverbs in the Old Testament, which tells us of the
importance of being careful withour resources, not getting into
debt and all that kind of good prudent advice.
(07:33):
The Ant stores it's provisions for the future.
So should we? We should work hard and be ready
with resources against a rainy day.
Cannot take this out of balance.Also with parts of the Bible
(07:55):
that simply affirm that God wants us to enjoy life.
So one Timothy chapter 4 verse 4says for everything God created
is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with
Thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God
and prayer, we can enjoy life. Christians are not ascetics.
(08:19):
We worship the Lord who is the maker of heaven and earth.
And as His redeemed people, we are now more fully able to enjoy
the creation. For as we enjoy the creation all
around us, we are able to worship Him who made the
creation. We're enjoying creation as it
was meant to be as a worship to the Creator.
(08:44):
Now all of that is not in the observation that Jesus does not
say don't store up, but rather don't store up on earth, instead
do store up in heaven. But all of that is part of the
biblical worldview, which is notanti the physical nor the
material, nor wants to make us all live a simply unpleasant
(09:08):
life. 1/3 observation will be drawn from this text
momentarily, but in the meantime, wanted to let you know
that if you want to drop us a line, if the post office is your
form of communication, PO Box 1025, Wheaton, IL 6 O 187 would
get it done. We'd love to hear from you
(09:30):
however you do it. You can contact us through our
website as well. Back into our study in Matthew
Chapter 6. Now here's Josh.
Which brings us to another observation on this text which
is frequently missed, which is that this text is not saying
don't be selfish. It is frequently said that Jesus
(09:51):
says do not store up treasures for yourselves, as if that is
where he finished his statement.And So what is preached is that
we are not to be selfish. We are not to store up treasures
for ourselves. Well, we are not to be selfish.
So that's a perfectly good message.
But is that actually what this passage says?
(10:13):
Rather shockingly, it is not. Jesus certainly says do not
store up treasures for yourselves.
But then he also says, but storeup for yourselves treasures in
heaven. So the contrast is not between
storing up treasures for yourselves and giving treasures
(10:35):
away to other people, which would be a message about
selfishness. No, the contrast is between
storing up treasures for yourselves on earth, which Jesus
tells us not to do. But rather than instead storing
up treasures for yourselves in heaven, Jesus assumes that in
(10:56):
both cases, this storing up is for yourself.
In fact, he tells us it is for yourself.
What's different is where you store up, whether on earth or in
heaven. So Jesus is not saying here
don't be selfish, He is saying don't be foolish.
He is assuming self-interest that all of us want what is best
(11:20):
for us. But He is showing us that what
we think is best for us is really not best for us.
Naturally we all want what the ancient philosophers called the
summum bonum, that is the highest good, the summum bonum.
(11:42):
We all naturally seek the good life, the best life that we can
get. What Jesus is saying is that
because of the fall and our fallen nature, we perceive
things wrong now, So what we think is best for ourselves.
Story up treasures on earth is not really best for ourselves,
(12:04):
which is instead actually storing up treasure in heaven
for ourselves. So Jesus is not saying first do
not store up, nor is Jesus saying second don't be selfish.
Instead he is saying understand what is actually best for
(12:24):
yourself. Which certainly isn't
selfishness, but that is not hispoint here.
What is best for yourself is story of treasures in heaven for
yourself. Now that is not what we would
typically say about this subject.
But just because it is not what we would typically say about
(12:45):
this subject, we need to listen especially carefully to it.
So we're just looking at the ways this text is misunderstood
sometimes. 1st that it is sayingdon't be prudent, don't store up
which it is not saying. 2nd, that it is saying don't be
selfish when really it is sayingunderstand what is actually best
(13:06):
for yourself. Have the mind of Christ about
this. But then third, this text is
also frequently, if not misinterpreted, then
domesticated or tamed by saying that Jesus is talking about more
than money. Well, surely Jesus is talking
(13:30):
about more than money, for thereare many other things that we
can treasure beside money. But Jesus is here talking
primarily about money. A few verses later, he will
contrast serving God with serving money, or mammon, an
Aramaic word for wealth. Now my highest treasure may not
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be money, it might be fame or the respect of other people.
And then to apply this text to the idolatrous treasures of my
heart, even the religious treasures which Jesus has been
talking about previous to this text in Matthew chapter 6, of
trying to impress other people with our religious performances
(14:18):
rather than gain praise for God.Those kinds of broadening of the
application of this few verses, these few verses here is of
course appropriate. And Jesus shows us the way to do
that. But that kind of broadening of
the application cannot or shouldnot be done in such a way as to
blunt what Jesus is saying. My mammon, my money is a
(14:48):
treasure that I am to invest in heaven, not on earth.
He is talking about money, even if it's not only money, and even
if the poor can be as obsessed, if not more obsessed, with money
than the rich. 4th This text, ofcourse, is not saying that the
(15:11):
way to get saved is by giving away your money.
When you read this text in the context of the Sermon on the
Mount, that thought is impossible.
And Jesus has said at the beginning of the sermon and the
famous beatitudes that set the tone for the whole spiritual
tenor of the sermon. Jesus has said blessed are the
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poor in spirit, blessed are those whose hunger and thirst
for righteousness. And so the reward here is given
not to those who are self-righteous or confident that
their own moral works are going to get them to heaven.
The reward here is an expressionof Christ's work in the born
(15:54):
again Christian as a fruit. All those who simply trust in
Christ will be saved, and all those who simply trust in Christ
will bear fruit. And there is a reward for
Christians for their godliness and holiness.
That is an appendage to the workof Christ in us, as the phrase
(16:17):
sometimes is. All our works are an expression
of Christ's work in us. Their work shall follow them as
Revelation says, and that is a motivation to all of us
Christians to fleece in, cast off unrighteousness, and seek to
(16:38):
honour Jesus by storing up treasures in heaven. 5th And
finally in this list of things that the text is not saying
before we can see what it is saying, this text is not simply
saying invest in heaven because heaven is a more safe investment
(17:06):
than earth. That is certainly an aspect of
what Jesus is saying. He is very clear about that,
isn't he? He says don't invest on earth
because rust and moths can destroy their the rust or the
eating up of decay. The moths destroying clothes
(17:31):
stored and handed down as a treasure from one generation to
the next when clothes were less frequently interchanged than
they are today. The thieves breaking in or
digging through the mud walls ofthe ancient world to get the
(17:51):
jewels that do not so easily decay, but can still be stolen.
So Jesus is clearly telling us that by contrast, heaven is a
secure investment. There in heaven, no moths
destroy, no rust corrodes, and no thieves can steal.
(18:14):
The economy will not crash, banks will not fail, and stocks
will not go down as well as up. Yes, that is part of what Jesus
is saying here, and it's clearlyintended as a motivation for us
to invest our lives in heavenly pursuits.
(18:36):
Yes, but it is not the final clinching argument of what Jesus
is saying here, is it? You can actually find similar
arguments about investing in heaven being a safer investment
than investing on earth in otherJewish writings from around this
time, but Jesus has something more to offer in addition to
(19:02):
that. So what I think this text is
primarily saying is that investing in heaven is a means
to release our heart, the control centre of our lives.
(19:24):
Verse 21 For where your treasureis, there your heart will be
also. The passage is structured around
a negation. Don't do this and then a
positive command Instead do thiswith a reason for where your
(19:48):
treasure is there your heart will be also.
Yes, there are subsidiary reasons given before the final
clinching reason. The the lesser reasons of the
moth, the rust, the thieves, butthe clinching reason is the
final one in verse 21. Why are we doing all this?
Why are we commanded not to do this, but to do the other?
(20:08):
Because for investing in heaven is a way to release.
Your heart. Jesus is being pastoral, not
prophetic, if you see what I mean.
He is coming alongside and helping his fledgling disciples
to be released from one of the classic traps of this world that
(20:31):
can dampen our enthusiasm, spoilour witness, and lead to the
degeneration of our churches. Don't store up treasures for
yourselves. He understands the human desire
for flourishing success benefit and He does not deny it.
Instead, He wishes pastorally tohelp us see where true
(20:55):
flourishing success benefit comes.
Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.
Why? This will release your heart.
Well, that then is what the textis saying.
How do we go about doing it? How do we invest in heaven?
(21:18):
Of course the answer is to live a Sermon on the Mount lifestyle.
If you are persecuted for Jesus sake, your reward will be great.
Jesus has said if you live with a heavenly focus in giving, not
(21:42):
to impress those around you, butto get praise from God, in
praying to get praise from God, in fasting, to get praise from
God, all this will lead to a heavenly reward.
That's Josh Moody and this is the God centered life.
(22:05):
We're going to deep dive into. How do we invest in heaven when
we get together next time. In the meantime, Josh, that
treasure and heart link seems tobe broadly applicable.
Treasure, heart connected. And you go even further using
the phrase heart release. And I take it from that you're
(22:27):
implying that there's a slavery of the heart to earthly
treasure. There can be, can't there?
And here Jesus teaching is actually helping us release
ourselves from that slavery. If we are those who are
generous, then money is put backin its right place as a.
Tool. Rather than something that
(22:49):
dominates and controls our lives.
So the way to the way to be released from the from the
slavery of of money is actually to become generous.
And I want to make sure I understand this because when you
hear where your treasure is, there your heart will be also is
kind of a passive, the two things coexisting.
But you're actually saying the treasure is in control of the
(23:12):
heart in some cases? Well, in control or it becomes
a. Drawing, overpowering.
Way of drawing. So if you want to have your
heart more and more for Jesus and more and more for God and
more and more for heaven, I'll put your treasure there because
where your treasure is there your heart will be also.
So it's diagnostic, but it's also attractive it it pulls you
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in that direction. And so it's a release we'll.
Talk more about this diagnostic releasing investment strategy
when we get together next time. Thanks, Josh.
We are grateful for those who are investing in this particular
gospel distribution ministry. We are operating by faith and
solely reliant on the gifts you provide us.
(23:57):
We say thank you by sending along a book that Josh selects
each month. And this month we've selected
Josh and his new book. Our firm foundation, God
Centered life.org is where you can find out more about this
book and get your own copy gift of any amount.
We'll be happy to send it your way and you'll be helping this
ministry continue God Centered life.org next time.
(24:21):
It's a heart enlargement. Seems to be in who we are as
created and fallen people, in who we are as Christian people.
There is something about the human heart that is diminished
by keeping, but that is enlargedby giving.
Continuing our look at the book of Matthew when we get together
(24:42):
next time, God Centered life.orgresources for you.
And this is your warm invitationto join us for the next edition
of The God Centered Life with Josh Moody.
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