First Presbyterian Church       Rev. Michael J. Imperiale

Salt Lake City, UtahNovember 20, 2005

“Using Our Treasure Wisely”

Matthew 6: 19-33

Introduction

Jesus often stands at the crossroads of our lives with his insight and understanding, his resolve and obedience to the will of the Father. And although Christians are far from perfect, we have said that we want to follow him. In Jesus we meet almighty God, our creator and redeemer who is committed to offer judgment and mercy, challenge and grace with an overwhelming singleness of purpose. But how is it possible to follow so perfect a model?

In the Bible, the word of God written, we have seen Jesus avoid the materialistic hooks that so often grab each of us. We watch him stand alone in the face of rejection without the need for superficial human relationships to prop him up. We see in Jesus a limitless capacity to forgive and watch him enjoy the enormous freedom of life in right relationship with God the Father.

As Christian people, we know that we cannot escape our own fallibility, our own predisposition to selfishness and sin. But we also know about the grace of God in Jesus Christ. In his unconditional love and acceptance, we can find hope. And in that grace, because of that grace, Jesus invites us to follow, to walk closely with him.

I remember cleaning out a junk drawer and finding a flashlight I had not used in a long time. I unscrewed the back end and shook it to get the batteries out, but they wouldn’t budge. Finally, after some effort at prying them, they came loose. And what a mess! Battery acid had corroded the entire inside of the flashlight. The batteries were new when I put them in, and I had stored the flashlight in a safe, warm place. But there was one problem: those batteries were not made to be warm and comfortable; they were designed to power the flashlight – to be used.

Friends, it is the same with us. We were not created to be warm and safe and comfortable. You and I were made to be “turned on” – to put our love for God and one another to work, to share the power of the gospel in our homes, in our community, in our world. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world… let your light so shine.”

In Matthew 6 this morning, part of the famous Sermon on the Mount, we find a description of a God-centered life attached to the things that really matter and a God-centered detachment from the world which gave Jesus and offers us the freedom to truly live in it.

I. Where is Your Treasure, Where are Your Worries? (vs. 19-32)

In his teaching about life and faith, Jesus said, “Be careful! Don’t hoard treasure down here on earth where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or – worse! – stolen by robbers. Instead, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, where thieves do not break in and steal.”

God’s word begins with a powerful reminder that we cannot really serve two masters. Money and worry were two of the chief stumbling blocks to following Christ in his day, and they are still quite evident in ours.

Fortune magazine quoted billionaire Ross Perot well before he entered the political scene. “Guys, just remember, if you get real lucky, if you make a lot of money, if you go out and buy a lot of stuff – it’s gonna break. You got your biggest, fanciest mansion in the world. It has air conditioning. It’s got a pool. Just think of all the pumps that going to go out. Or go to a yacht basin any place in the world. Nobody’s smiling, and I’ll tell you why: something broke that morning. The generator’s out, the microwave doesn’t work… Things just don’t mean happiness.”

And yet don’t we too often buy in to the advertising the savings and loan industry? One billboard reads, “We Lend Happiness At Eighteen Locations.” As the Healthy Church Initiative urges us “to love God, love neighbor, go and make disciples,” Jesus reminds us that we can have only one master. We live in an overwhelming materialistic society. People serve money, spending their lives earning, collecting, storing and spending money only to die and leave it or what it bought behind. Jesus invites us to walk closely with him so we will not fall into the trap of the love of money that is a root for all kinds of problems. “For where your treasure is,” says Jesus, “there your heart will be also.”

Then Jesus taught his disciples, “Do not worry about your life… your heavenly Fathers knows what you need.” If you decide to follow Jesus, if you choose a life of worshiping and serving God, it makes sense not to fuss over what you need – food or clothing and all. So much time and money are wasted by worrying. And Jesus wants us to avoid the ill effects of worry. Modern medicine has shown how worry can damage your health, disrupt your productivity, negatively affect how you treat others, and reduce your ability to trust in the Lord. I know that some of our members are worried about HCI and how some of the changes proposed will affect our church. Jesus would say, “Cut it out!”

Someone has rightly observed, “Planning for tomorrow is time well spent; worrying about tomorrow is time wasted.” Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps, and schedules, trusting in God’s guidance along the way. Your pastors, elders and leaders will continue to plan carefully and caringly. When well done, planning can help alleviate worry. Worriers, by contrast, are consumed by fear and find it difficult to trust the Lord. So Jesus says, “Do not let your worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with me today.”

II. The Essential Focus for Real Treasure (vs. 33)

Here comes one of the most amazing promises of the New Testament. Here comes the context for using our time, our talents, and our treasures wisely throughout this life. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Steep your life in God’s reality, always look for God’s initiatives, depend on God’s provision. Don’t worry about missing out on something. By faith and trust in Christ, you will find that all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Jesus is calling this church, this congregation to turn first and always to God for his perspective and help, to fill our thoughts with his desires for our life and ministry together, to take his character to be our own pattern, and to serve and obey as followers of Christ. Jesus is asking the central, essential focus for real treasure: “What is really important to you?” Is coming to church more important to you than being the church? The Lord wants us to be the church here this morning and throughout the week out there in the world. What is really important to you? Getting the latest gadgets for their entertainment value or participating in what God is doing lately in church and community?

Conclusion

As we come to the Word of God this morning, as we seek a closer walk with Christ, we are faced with decisions to be made about our lives and lifestyle. Jesus said the greatest commandment is this: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” The second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The great commission to followers of Christ is to “go and make disciples of all nations.”

Because God first loved us so much (he gave his one and only Son for us), we begin to understand that his unconditional love frees us to love him in response, to use the time, talents and treasures that God provides for his purposes. Having been forgiven, we forgive. Knowing God’s provision, we can provide. As we give, together we share the saving message of Christ, making his love an experience and a reality for others. Our prayers and gifts enable the church to minister to many people in need.

I hope your flashlight is not tucked away in some desk drawer suffering for lack of use. It was designed to be tuned on. When it comes to your faith, your gifts for ministry, your active participation in the life of our church, you were created to let your light shine.

Amen.