Pastor Matt reminded us that the way to serve God rather than money is to seek first God's Kingdom. Doing this results in gaining all that one needs for true human flourishing.
MY STORY
Describe a time that you went through some old boxes and discovered a beloved "treasure". What was the item? Why did it hold so much value for you?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)
Jesus calls his followers to choose their master, either God or wealth (vs. 19-24), and to choose their outlook on life, either faith or worry (vs. 25-34).
Read the Bible passage above. Is Jesus commanding us to never save money or plan for the future, or does he have something else in mind? Explain.
Read vs. 22 and 23. What does Jesus mean when he says the eye is the lamp of the body?
How would we translate this into a modern-day metaphor?
In vs. 24 Jesus says you cannot serve God and money.
What does "serving money" look like in your mind?
In vs. 25-34, Jesus commands his followers not to be anxious, for they can change nothing if it's not in God's will for them. The ESV Study Bible makes a good additional point in that it says, "If one makes the right choices, there is no reason that one should be anxious, " tying the command about anxiety back to vs. 19-24. It is important to continuously strive to serve God and follow his commands, and when you are continuously seeking his will, he will make a way for what he wants to happen.
Does experiencing poverty signify that someone is not following God's commands? Why or why not?
God knows we need food and clothing. What is he commanding us to do instead of being anxious about these things?
What does God want us to hear? Based on the passage and the questions above, what "takeaways" do you think God has revealed to you?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
God is not commanding us to never save money or plan for the future. Instead, he instructs his followers to seek him first, to serve God instead of serving money.
Has the Holy Spirit ever directed you to spend your money in a certain way you were not anticipating? If so, what were the circumstances?
Has God ever directed you away from a path in life that could have led to enormous financial success? If so, what did he call on you to do instead?
What does it look like in your mind to choose God over money?
What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit's leading, call us to?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
Pastor Matt said,
"You can't love God and this world. In other words, you can't morally be in a romantic relationship with two people. Have two lovers. Just like you can't have two masters. It's not going to work."
In what sense, if any, are your interests divided when it comes to trusting God or money?
Quietly reflect: Is there anxiety in your heart about your financial circumstances? How can you go about becoming less anxious and more reliant on God to know what you need?
What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step God is calling you, personally, toward?
Message Notes
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