Monday, August 22, 2022
Chris Boudreau - Journey Church Group Leader
Matthew 6:19-24
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Devotional
In Matthew 6:19-24, Jesus turns his focus to money and possessions. His usual method of presenting truth is to give a great principle, sum it up in a few words, then develop the principle in the explanation that follows. In this passage, the great principle is, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” When you first read this portion of Scripture, it’s easy to think that Jesus is purely talking to those who have great riches and wealth. However, the word “treasure” is referring to anything that a person might store up as precious to themselves. Treasures can come in all shapes and sizes, and can be different for everyone.
Next, Jesus points to life’s simple “treasures” such as clothing (which can be ruined by moths), precious metals (that eventually will rust), and material possessions (that can be gone in an instant). Jesus wasn’t saying that owning material possessions is wrong. Instead, Jesus is saying the problem begins when our possessions actually “own us”.
Jesus goes on to talk about “treasures being stored up” in a storehouse, a place where things are kept and protected. When Jesus uses the word picture of a storehouse, he is actually speaking of the very center of one’s being – the seat of one’s emotions, wishes, and will. He is speaking of that in us which loves a “treasure” so much, that it moves our entire being to seek after it.
Today, the cultural message we hear over and over is that you just need “one more” thing to be happy. Why? Because what you have is never enough. It’s the treasure of “one more” accomplishment, “one more” investment, “one more” move, “one more” addition, or “one more” of anything that takes the place of Jesus being enough. Heaven’s timeless message is that when you have Jesus, you have everything. He is enough in this life and the life to come.
Prayer
“Jesus, thank you for reminding me that I am never more loved than I am right now. Forgive me when other things become so important in my life that I squeeze you out. I am reminded that it doesn’t take a treasure or trophy to make you proud or earn your love. I am so thankful that you are more than enough. I’ll never be more loved than I am right now. Jesus, I treasure you! Amen.”
Daily Prayer Initiatives
- Jesus to change more lives as we double the square footage of our Castle Pines location.
- Momentum as we launch our Highlands Ranch location.
- Someone you can invite to Journey on Friend Day (Sunday, September 11)
- One bold prayer you sense God is personally inviting you to pray during the 21 Days.
Highlight
Get to a place where you can focus and read the daily Scripture passage several times. From the passage of Scripture you read, highlight one or two verses that stick out. Write them down, and even consider rewriting the verse(s) in your own words.
Explain
Make some basic observations about the scripture you just read by asking these questions:
- Why was this written?
- To whom was it originally written?
- What is the author trying to communicate?
- What does the Scripture passage teach me about God and humanity?
Apply
After taking some time explaining the highlighted scriptures, begin to think about how they apply to your life. Ask yourself these questions and spend some time writing down your thoughts:
- What do these verses mean today?
- What does this verse(s) mean for my life?
- How does this verse challenge my thinking and actions?
- What changes do I need to make in my life as a result of this passage of Scripture?
Respond
Your response to the passage may take on many forms. You may write a call to action. You may describe how you will be different because of what God has said to you through the Bible verses. You may indicate what you are going to do because of what you learned. You may respond by writing out a prayer to God. For example, you may ask God to help you to be more loving, or to give you a desire to be more generous in your giving. Keep in mind that this is your response to what you have just read.