In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches how to move from spiritual disciplines to “material” ones, learning how to avoid letting wealth and worry rule our lives, how to prevent our need for material things become greed for those things.
We live in a consumerdriven world that tempts us to measure life by possessions. Owning things isn’t sinful, but when “stuff” owns us, our hearts drift from God.
German-French humanitarian, philosopher, and physician Albert Schweitzer put it plainly: “If you own something you cannot give away, then you don’t own it, it owns you.”
In Matthew 6:19–24, Jesus warns against storing treasures on earth, where moth, rust, and thieves can destroy. Earthly treasures are temporary; heavenly treasures are eternal. When we give to God’s work— through the church, missions, and ministries— we invest in what lasts forever.
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Our spending reveals what we truly love.
Jesus also says, “You cannot serve God and mammon.” The Biblical “mammon” refers to material wealth, possessions, or riches. Money can be a good servant, but it makes a terrible master. We can’t split devotion between God and materialism— whether that “mammon” is wealth, comfort, reputation, or entertainment. He must be Lord over *everything,” including our possessions.
The second temptation is worry (Matthew 6:25– 32). Jesus repeats “do not worry” six times in nine verses. Using everyday illustrations, He points both to birds that do not plant or harvest, yet God feeds them, and to lilies clothed more beautifully than Solomon.
If God cares for them, how much more will He care for us? Worry cannot add a single hour to our lives—it only robs us of peace. Noted Dutch Holocaust survivor Corrie Ten Boom said, “Worry is like a rocking chair. It keeps you moving, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.”
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus was speaking to a crowd that probably didn’t know where their next meal was coming from. Additionally, the clothes on their backs may have been all that was in their wardrobe. He wanted them to trust God in faith.
We may not worry about our next meal or single set of clothes like Jesus’ first audience, but we still battle anxiety over finances, health, relationships, and the future. The cure? “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33–34) Prayer and trust in God replace worry with peace.
In short, if we submit our hearts and mind to God, he will give us peace. The answer for a chronic worrier is prayer. Jesus assures us if we seek His kingdom and his righteousness, everything else will take care of itself.
Wealth and worry lose their grip when we put God first. If you’re ready to live free from both, start by seeking Him above all else. And if you’d like a place to grow in that pursuit, we’d love to see you at Lake Eufaula Christian Church, 415897 Highway 9, Eufaula.
Small group Bible study Sundays at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., and Wednesday night all-age activities at 6:30 p.m. After all, investing your time in eternal things beats building sandcastles at the tide’s edge any day.
God Bless You!
Jeremy Little, Minister
