It’s Not What You Got (on earth)
Matthew 6:19-34
Trouble in Paradise?
> Trouble seems to emerge...
* In our relationships, in our sense of security, stability
* When our well-ordered lives (paradises) are thrown into chaos
* And we long for Jesus to say, "Peace, be STILL!"
> A Case Study in Worry...
* When your car blows a radiator...
* And everyone is so helpful!
* And it could have caused a BAD accident!
* And you KNOW God was taking care of you!
* ...And then the bill...
v* ...And then they say, "It got real hot; hope it's OK"...
Between Order and Chaos
> ...And then Jesus says not to worry!
* He lists basic human needs, and seems to define worry as dreading/dwelling on the possibility of things falling apart.
* But what about when they really are falling apart?
> We LIKE orderly lives
* dependability, security, stability, predictability, fulfilled expectations
* When things all apart, we feel justifiably threatened, like the disciples on the boat in the storm
> Jesus says...
* From Jesus' examples He is confronting the fear of things falling apart
* His prescription is our seeking the Kingdom of God first
* So do we pray hard, and stop paying our insurance bills?
First things first
> Understanding "treasures"
* "treasures" = those things of ultimate importance in your life, which direct your core desires, and keep your focus (your "mind's eye") on them
* worry tends to focus our minds those things which keep life stable, like wealth, and turn them into treasures
* (health as well, but a lot of health is wealth-based, just ask the fast-food industry)
* Of course modern culture would have us define our worth by our wealth
> Seek Ye First the Kingdom...
* MORE THAN JUST BEING PIOUS
* The Kingdom is...
* Loving God, loving others, being part of a Christian community, etc...
* Loving God - when bad things happen your first reaction may be to as God WHY? Then the relationship you've developed with Him kicks in...
* Loving Others - A person who has been kind and Christ-like in their loving actions to others will reap what they sow...
