A Choice Must Be Made

Who Do You Serve - A Choice Must Be Made

Matthew 6:19-24 (AMP)

19 "Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

• When they speak of treasures were fine clothes, polished armor, weapons of war, gold and jewels.

• Moth and Rust are destructive to most of them as thieves.

• The US accounts for over 90% of the global self storage market

• Over 51,000 self storage facilities exist nationwide, more than McDonalds, Starbucks, and Subway combined

20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal;

• Storing treasures in heaven is not limited to tithing but includes all acts of service to God.

• Giving our money to God's work is like investing in heaven because it helps more people hear and respond to the Good News.

• We should seek to please God both in our giving and in our fulfilling of God's purposes in everything else we do.

Things We Can Do to Receive Treasures in Heaven

1. Doing Good Works | Ephesians 6:8; Romans 2:6

Ephesians 6:8 (AMP)

knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether [he is] slave or free.

Romans 2:6 (AMP)

6 He will pay back to each person according to his deeds [justly, as his deeds deserve]:

2. Persevering Under Persecution | Luke 6:22-23 (AMP)

22 Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God's goodness] are you when people hate you, and exclude you [from their fellowship], and insult you, and scorn your name as evil because of [your association with] the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for their fathers used to treat the prophets in the same way.

3. SHOWING COMPASSION TO THE NEEDY | LUKE 14:13-14 (AMP)

13 But when you give a banquet or a reception, invite the poor, the disabled, the lame, and the blind, 14 and you will be blessed because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous (the just, the upright)."

4. TREATING OUR ENEMIES KINDLY | LUKE 6:35 (AMP)

35 But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; for your reward will be great (rich, abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High; because He Himself is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and the wicked.

5. HELPING PEOPLE WHO SHARE THE GOSPEL | MATTHEW 10:40-42 (AMP)

40 "He who receives and welcomes you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41 He who receives and welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and he who receives a righteous (honorable) man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones [these who are humble in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water to drink because he is my disciple, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward."

21 for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also.

• Jesus made it clear that storing our treasures in the wrong place leads to our hearts being in the wrong place.

• What we treasure the most controls us, whether we admit it or not.

• What we think about, talk about, or spend our money on can dominate us.

• If possessions or money become too important to us, we must reestablish control of our hearts.

• We need to get rid of the things that have become idols to us.

• Jesus calls for a decision to live contentedly with whatever we have because we have chosen eternal values over temporary, earthly treasures.

• Where do you do most of the time?

• Where do you spend most of your money?

• Where do you sacrifice the most?

• Where do you serve for no benefit to you?

• Who are you willing to submit to?

22 "The eye is the lamp of the body; so if your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive], your whole body will be full of light [benefiting from God's precepts].

• Having good spiritual vision means having the capacity to see clearly what God wants us to do and to see the world from his point of view.

• This perspective can be easily obscured by self-serving desires, interests, and goals.

• Serving God is the best way to restore it.

• A healthy eye stays fixed on God.

John 3:3 (AMP)

3 Jesus answered him, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God."

23 But if your eye is bad[spiritually blind], your whole body will be full of darkness [devoid of God's precepts]. So if the [very] light inside you [your inner self, your heart, your conscience] is darkness, how great and terrible is that darkness!

24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].

• Jesus says we can have only one master.

• We live in a materialistic society where many people serve money.

• They spend their lives collecting and storing it, only to die and leave it behind.

• Their desire for money and what it can buy far outweighs their commitment to God and what he values.

• Whatever you store up, you will spend much of your time and energy thinking about.

• Don't fall into the materialistic trap, because "the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10).

• Can you honestly say that God, and not money, is your master?

• One test is to ask yourself which one occupies more of your thoughts, time, and efforts.

Either we store our treasures with God (6:20-21), focus our "eyes" on him (6:22-23), and serve him alone, or else we do not serve him at all. Where does your ultimate allegiance lie?

Wisdom Keys

WISDOM KEY #1 - YOU HAVE AN ACCOUNT | PHILIPPIANS 4:17 (AMP)

17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I do seek the profit which increases to your [heavenly] account [the blessing which is accumulating for you].

WISDOM KEY #2 – GOD REMEMBERS AND REWARDS | ACTS 10:1-4 (AMP)

Cornelius' Vision

1 Now at Caesarea [Maritima] there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who, along with all his household, feared God. He made many charitable donations to the Jewish people, and prayed to God always. 3 About the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.) of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had come to him and said, "Cornelius!" 4 Cornelius was frightened and stared intently at him and said, "What is it, lord (sir)?" And the angel said to him, "Your prayers and gifts of charity have ascended as a memorial offering before God [an offering made in remembrance of His past blessings].

WISDOM KEY # 3 – GOD WANTS YOU TO BUILD WISELY | 1 TIMOTHY 6:17-19 (AMP)

17 As for the rich in this present world, instruct them not to be conceited and arrogant, nor to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share [with others]. 19 In this way storing up for themselves the enduring riches of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

So, I asked myself the question: who do I serve?

Here are 15 thought-provoking questions to help you reflect on whether you're serving God or money, drawn from a Christian perspective (based on Matthew 6:24 and related Scriptures):

Heart & Priorities:

1. What excites me more: growing spiritually or increasing my income?
2. Do I make major life decisions based on God's will or financial gain?
3. Am I more concerned about tithing and giving generously, or keeping more for myself?

Time & Focus:

1. Do I spend more time planning how to make money than I do in prayer, Bible study, or serving?
2. Is Sunday a day of worship or just another work opportunity to earn more?
3. Do I feel anxious when I give or tithe because I'm afraid I won't have enough?

Identity & Security:

1. Do I feel more secure because of my savings account than because of God's promises?
2. Do I evaluate people based on their wealth or their walk with Christ?
3. Would I still feel valuable if I lost everything financially?

Obedience & Sacrifice:

1. Have I ever compromised my values, honesty, or time with God in order to make more money?
2. Would I say "yes" to a high-paying job that pulls me away from my calling, church, or family?
3. Am I willing to sacrifice comfort and financial success to obey God's call?

Generosity & Trust:

1. Do I give cheerfully and sacrificially, or reluctantly and sparingly?
2. Do I trust that God will provide, even when giving doesn't make financial sense?
3. Am I storing up treasures on earth or in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21)?

Discussion Questions

1. Jesus says we cannot serve both God and money. Why is it impossible to serve two masters? What are the practical signs in your life that reveal which master you're truly serving?
2. The notes mention that the US has over 51,000 self-storage facilities—more than McDonald's, Starbucks, and Subway combined. What does this statistic reveal about our culture's relationship with material possessions?
3. Review the five ways to store up treasures in heaven. Which of these do you find most challenging, and why? Which comes most naturally to you?
4. Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." How does where you spend your money reveal what you truly value? What would your bank statement say about your priorities?
5. The teaching asks several diagnostic questions: "Where do you spend most of your time? Where do you spend most of your money? Where do you sacrifice the most?" How would you honestly answer these questions?
6. What does it mean to have a "clear eye" versus a "bad eye" spiritually? How do self-serving desires obscure our spiritual vision, and how can we restore it?
7. Cornelius' prayers and gifts of charity "ascended as a memorial offering before God" (Acts 10:4). How does this passage demonstrate that God sees and remembers our generosity and devotion?
8. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 warns the rich not to set their hope on the "uncertainty of riches." Why are riches uncertain? What makes God a more reliable foundation for our security?
9. Review the 15 self-reflection questions in the notes. Which question convicted you the most? Which one revealed an area where you need to grow?
10. The notes ask, "Would I say 'yes' to a high-paying job that pulls me away from my calling, church, or family?" How do we practically weigh financial opportunities against spiritual priorities? Where should we draw the line?

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