Lesson Text. Matthew 6:19-34.
Devotional Reading-Subject: Finding Contentment, I Timothy 6:6-11.
AIM: To learn to cope with the problems o this affluent society.
HOME READING
Job, a Devout Rich Man, Job 1:1-5.
Abraham, an Obedient Rich Man, Genesis 12:5-9.
Two Kinds of Treasure, Matthew 6:19, 20.
Wrong View of Riches, Matthew 18:16-22.
The Rich Warned, James 5:1-6.
Wrong Use of Wealth, Ecclesiastes 6:1, 2.
God, the Supplier of All Things, Philippians 4:15-19.
INTRODUCTION.-Materialism is a doctrine (false). It states that matter cause all life. It teaches matter is eternal; thus what man calls nature is the only god worthy of worship.
Now the above paragraph seems farfetched for a believer to accept; yet materialism has become a very real part of the life and philosophy of many believers.
Many worship the nature god by camping, hunting, fishing, sightseeing, etc. each Lord’s Day, rather than worshiping God with His churches.
Others worship the dollar god by devoting all their ambition and energy to getting money and great possessions. More believers are in this category than one would like to admit.
Of course, the Bible does not teach the accumulation of wealth by honorable means and motives is sin. It does teach the love of money is a sin (1 Tim. 6:10). That is a sin which the poor may commit, as well as the wealthy.
1. The Rewards.
In These days of inflation even dedicated believers are more prone to dwell on material things more than they normally would. Still God’s people must be careful to place their ambitions and accomplishments in the proper place. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt 6:21). The fact is, man is where his heart is, and his heart is where his treasure is.
This brings up the matter of rewards. The Scriptures teach God bases all rewards on the believer’s faithfulness. “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2). Faithfulness is a divine requirement. That requirement cannot be met if a person’s heart s so wrapped up in material matters he does not have time for God. Thus, he would be a person with earthly treasures only.
In other words, men who posses wealth must be careful or the wealth will posses them. Christ warned against such a tragic mistake. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves worldly, approach to life has no durability. There can be no sense of security in materialism. Solomon who was the wealthiest man of his time, said, “Wilt those set thine eyes upon that which is not. For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly way as an eagle toward heaven” (Prov.23:5). Wealth does not bring satisfaction, contentment, or security.
On the other hand, Christ commanded His followers to have heavenly treasures. “But lay up yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Matt. 6:20). Therefore, those who serve the Lord faithfully will have heavenly treasures. They do not allow themselves to be swept into the materialistic trend of this day. They have satisfaction, contentment, and security in the Lord Jesus.
2. The Master.
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt. 6:24). Materialism is a matter of selecting the wrong master to serve.
“No man can serve two masters.” One can be a slave to only one master with undivided loyalty and service. Believers are suppose to be servants of Christ and righteousness” (Rom. 6:18). Those who claim to serve God; but live for Satan, are deceiving only themselves. It is impossible to be loyal and obedient equally to two rival masters.
Believers must be careful whom they hate, love, hold to. And despise as their master. When one is true the opposite naturally follows. If a person loves God, he will hate Satan. Of he loves Satan, he will hate God. Holding to God as Master means one despise God. Moreover, one can see the matter of being loyal to the proper master is very critical. “Neither be ye called master: for one is your Master, even Christ” (Matt. 23:10).
“Ye cannot serve God and mammon,” Mammon is a word which refers to earthly possessions. It applies to materialism, of which Satan is the master. It is possible to attend worship services regularly and still serve mammon. However, it is impossible to serve mammon without ceasing to serve God. Both God and mammon demand absolute loyalty.
Covetousness is the common sin of those who serve mammon, The Lord warned against this sin. “And he said unto them. Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12-15). Covetousness causes mammon to become the master; thus it takes the place of God. Consequently covetousness is idolatry (Col. 3:5).
3. The Necessities.
Believers have to trust in God’s ability to provide the necessities of life. They must not trust in their riches, but in God’s riches. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). The problem is many are impatient in the matter of material things. Perhaps they feel God will not support in them in the manner in which they are accustomed to live. They want more than the necessities of life, and God promised only to provide the necessities.
God will never let His people down. Mammon will. “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psalm 37:25).
Christ taught man is more important than the fowl of the air (Matt. 6:26). If God proved for birds, isn’t it logical He will provide for His own Children?
Regarding raiment, Christ taught man is more important than “the lilies of the field” (Matt. 6:18-30). If God has provided so magnificently for flowers, will He overlook the need of His own children for clothing?
Worrying about the necessities of life was a pagan characteristic. “(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matt. 6:32). Therefore, materialism is a pagan trait.
These promises of God are for His children. They are the only ones who have the power to serve God and refuse to serve mammon, The Lord repeatedly referred His hearers to their Father (1 John 5:1). Others have Satan as their spiritual father (John 8:44); therefore they are powerless to serve God and refuse to serve the god of mammon.
4. The Order.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). Primary things must come first, then secondary matter, Spiritual matters are eternal in quality. Material things are temporal.
The above passage should be the driving purpose in the life of a believer. It is an unparalleled principle by which only believers can live. Paul lived by this principle and was able to say, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I love; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for this of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” (Matt. 6:34). Here the Lord teaches His followers not to worry about tomorrow and all the future. The responsibilities of one day at a time are sufficient to keep a person busy. If one worries ahead, he is merely borrowing trouble. Each day has enough problems without borrowing more.
Therefore, the believer should leave all the tomorrows in the hand of God. When tomorrow comes, He will provide every necessity for it.
Many verses 33 and 34 show the Bible student what he needs to secure the present, assure the future regulate the life, and insure the spiritual character.
Put God first; others second; and self last.
Sometimes it looks like this:
J - Jesus First
O- Others
Y-You last!
