This is the manuscript of the first sermon in the "What Giving does for You" series of sermons on stewardship leading up to Thanksgiving. As you have seen in the ads on television and in the stores, we have already started the Holiday Season. That time that we both give and receive. I want us to be thankful for not only what we receive, whatever it is, but also thankful for the opportunity to give. The Bible teaches the concept of stewardship, in which we are responsible to God for all that we are and have. To truly be responsible, we must not only graciously receive, but we must generously give.
We have all heard “One person’s junk is another person’s treasure.” This raises a couple of questions for me. “Am I living for trash? Will the values I live for have eternal significance? Here's a question for all of us today, “Am I, are you living for true treasures or am I, are you living for trash?”
Scripture Reading:
1 Corinthians 3:10-17 NIV By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
Text:
Matthew 6:19-21 NLT “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Introduction
As you have seen in the ads on television and in the stores, we have already started the Holiday Season. That time that we both give and receive. I want us to be thankful for not only what we receive, whatever it is, but also thankful for the opportunity to give, so I am starting a series titled “What Giving Does for You.”
The Bible teaches the concept of stewardship, in which we are responsible to God for all that we are and have. To truly be responsible, we must not only graciously receive, but we must generously give.
Have you ever been to an estate auction following a death, or a garage sale when personal items were put up for sale? This can be a sobering and sometimes a sad experience. We have all heard “One person’s junk is another person’s treasure.”
While this may be true, you can’t help but observe that there is always a lot of trash that remains when the average person passes away or a person is cleaning out their home and getting rid of things they no longer need or want. I have a friend that just sold her family home and she had to go through deciding what was treasure and what was trash.
This raises a couple of questions for me. “Am I living for trash? Will the values I live for have eternal significance?”
Here's a question for all today, “Am I, are you living for true treasures or am I, are you living for trash?”
We will get back to those questions, but I want to start with this.
Jesus came to save us for a heavenly life, an eternal life, a life with many treasures
First let’s first consider that God, the Creator, has given us bodies that are perfectly adapted to live on the earth.
Let’s take a look at a great passage dealing with the hope of resurrection from the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:35-41 NLT But someone may ask, “How will the dead be raised? What kind of bodies will they have?” What a foolish question! When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it dies first. And what you put in the ground is not the plant that will grow, but only a bare seed of wheat or whatever you are planting. Then God gives it the new body he wants it to have. A different plant grows from each kind of seed. Similarly there are different kinds of flesh—one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. There are also bodies in the heavens and bodies on the earth. The glory of the heavenly bodies is different from the glory of the earthly bodies. The sun has one kind of glory, while the moon and stars each have another kind. And even the stars differ from each other in their glory.
In this passage Paul illustrated the power and wisdom of God. To depict the wisdom and power of God regarding our earthly life, Paul used illustrations from botany, zoology, and astronomy. The plants of the field have a body perfectly adapted for the fruit that is to be produced. Humans, animals, birds, and fish have bodies adapted for their natural habitats. In the realm of astronomy, each star is different and is perfectly appropriate for its orbit and its place in the universe.
At the same time as giving bodies that are designed for earthly life, the wisdom and the power of God will provide, for believers, a body perfectly adapted for our eternal home
1 Corinthians 15:42-44 NLT It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.
The Father God’s wisdom and power will make available to us spiritual bodies that are perfectly adapted for a heavenly habitat.
In addition to the earthly bodies, we have now and the heavenly bodies that believers will have at the resurrection, Father God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us live today with the values of eternity in mind.
By giving us the Holy Spirit, the Father God is giving us a guarantee today that we will experience resurrection and that we will live eternally, in a house, or bodies, not made with hands.
2 Corinthians 5:1-5 NLT For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.
Christ teaches us to live and work today with heaven always in view.
Matthew 6:19-21 NLT “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
These words are not a gimmick for receiving an offering, although a lot of people use them for that purpose to get someone to give or increase their giving.
If we really take a hard and honest look at what Jesus said, we will see that He was trying to enrich us not impoverish us.
God is no pauper. He is not a thief. He is not a beggar standing outside the store asking for money. Our gifts do not enrich him. God is interested in our highest possible good today, as well as in the future. When we live with the issues and values of eternity, we are going to be richer both now and in the future.
Christ wants us to be rich with the riches that do not perish.
Again
Matthew 6:19-21 NLT “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Christ our Lord was giving us not just some excellent financial advice, but He was also giving outstanding spiritual counsel. His concern was not for the gifts that we might give; rather, he was concerned about the condition of our hearts that’s why He said: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
We all know the story of the rich young man that came to Jesus and asked Him what he needed to do to get eternal life. The entire encounter is in Matthew 19;16-30. During the conversation Jesus said at verse 21
Matthew 19:21 NLT…“If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Then verse 22 says
Matthew 19:22 NLT But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
The issue wasn’t that the young man was rich but that he “treasured” his riches and did not “treasure” what he could have in Christ. When Jesus told the man to sell his possessions and give to the poor, “and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me”. The young man was sad when he left Jesus because he was extraordinarily rich. He chose this world’s treasure and refused to lay up treasure in heaven. He was unwilling to make Jesus his treasure. The young man was actually deeply religious, but Jesus exposed his heart which was a heart of greed.
It's possible for you to live all of your life for treasures that will turn out to be nothing but trash. Trash is stuff that is worn out, broken, or worthless.
We can’t take earthly treasures with us into eternity, so they hold no permanent value for us.
A house is usually most people’s biggest and best investment, but in the final analysis, in eternity a house will have no value for us.
John 14:1-3 NLT “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
In much of the world an automobile is considered a necessity. We won't be able to take our cars with us when we die.
In our homes we need furniture, but the day will come when furniture will have no more value than trash.
Some people enjoy the luxury of a boat, but we can’t take a boat to heaven with us.
You can't take even one silver coin with you to heaven. It is like other trash.
A diamond ring is a beautiful and highly valued thing, but not even our most highly prized treasures on earth can pass through death into our heavenly home. They will have no more value than trash.
There is a guy in one of Jesus parables that was carried away by his wealth, his treasures.
Luke 12:16-21 NLT Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
The good news is that it is possible to live for treasures that will last forever.
We are to treasure the Lord Jesus most of all. When Jesus is our treasure, we will commit our resources—our money, our time, our talents—to His work in this world. It's the motivation for what we do that is important.
1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Colossians 3:23-24 NLT Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.
The Apostle Paul is telling us that God has an eternal reward for those who are motivated to serve Christ.
When we live sacrificially for Jesus’ sake or serve Him by serving the body of Christ, we store up treasure in heaven. Even seemingly small acts of service don't go unnoticed by God.
Matthew 10:40-42 NLT “Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”
Some people with more visible gifts such as teaching, singing, or playing a musical instrument might be tempted to use their gift for their own glory. Those who use their talents or spiritual gifts looking for the praise of men rather than seeking God’s glory receive their “payment” in full here and now.
Matthew 6:16-18 NLT “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
The applause of men was the extent of the Pharisees’ reward. So, why do we work for worldly approval, or applause when we can have so much more in heaven?
The Lord will be faithful to reward us. What each of us do for the kingdom of God may differ, but the Lord we all serve is the same Lord.
1 Corinthians 3:7-8 NLT It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.
Scripture also says in
Hebrews 6:10 NLT For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.
The treasures that await the child of God will far outweigh any trouble, inconvenience, or persecution we may face.
God is the One keeping score, and His reward will be abundantly gracious.
1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
Conclusion
What are you living for? Are you living for earthly treasures that someday will have no more value than mere trash? Will you go off and leave your treasures behind?
We have the choice of living for true treasures that have eternal significance or for values that will eventually be considered as worthless.
Mark 8:34-37 NLT Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
The highest wisdom that any person can use is the wisdom of accepting Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior, Leader, Guide, and Teacher. Jesus challenges us to live for the true treasures that will be valuable throughout all eternity.
Lord God, help us to give the gift of ourselves,
not just our things.
Help us to open our hearts and minds to those
who need us most, without fear or hesitation,
so we may have the life you want for us,
and others see you in the way we live.
Amen
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