For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.
This talk (13 mins) challenges us to store up treasure in heaven, not on earth. Although it can be challenging to discern exactly how much wealth we should hold on to, and how much should be given away, we are not excused from the responsibility to prayerfully and honestly wrestle with the Lord's words in Matthew 6:19-20!
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume and where thieves do not break in and steal (Matthew 6:19-20).
Observations
- Treasures in two locations
- Wealth is never really safe. Moths eat away at fine garments, rust corrodes metal and coins, thieves break (dig) in and try to find where our treasure has been hidden (e.e. under the floor.)
- Are we to make as much money as possible? Are we "maxed out" in the pursuit of wealth?
- I do read this not as as forbidding riches—however they are defined—but warning us of the dangers of wealth and encouraging us to be emotionally invested in the right place.
Sell our possessions?
- “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Luke 12:32-34).
- Jesus lived simply; the apostles lived simply; the early Christians lived simply.
Two martyrs
Cyprian and Lawrence were both martyred in the Valerian Persecution in 258 AD:
- Cyprian: “The fool who was to die that very night was rejoicing in his stored goods [referring to Luke 12:20]. He to whom life was already failing was thinking of the abundance of his food. In contrast, the Lord tells us that a man becomes perfect and complete by selling all his goods and distributing them for the use of the poor. He thereby lays up for himself a storehouse in heaven.” On the Lord’s Prayer 20 (ANF 5.453). Cyprian was not speaking hypothetically. He had been wealthy before becoming a Christian. But on his conversion, he sold much of his estate and used the proceeds to help the poor. Pontius the Deacon, The Life and Martyrdom of Cyprian 2 (ANF 5.268). He also notes, “Neither does the state take away the property entrusted to God, nor does the tax collector intrude on it. Likewise, no criminal plots cart it away. That inheritance is placed in a vault that is kept under guard by God Himself.” On Works and Alms 19
- Lawrence: Roman officials were seizing whatever property the churches owned. In Rome, the authorities confronted Lawrence, a deacon in the church, and demanded that he surrender all the valuables the church in Rome owned. He told them he'd collect the church’s wealth and hand it over the next day. The next morning Lawrence had assembled a large group of the poor who were supported by the church [1500-2000 persons?]. When the officials arrived and demanded for the loot, Lawrence pointed to the poor and needy. “This is the wealth of the church,” he exclaimed. The disappointed and irate officials then put him to death. Ambrose, Duties of the Clergy 2.28.140.
The lesson for us
- Invest in people.
- My suggestion: Liquidate unnecessary assets. Retain what is necessary to continue to be able to provide hospitality, help fellow Christians, give alms, and not be a burden to others.
- We probably need less than we think.
- Let's live modesty!
- A word to Americans and citizens of other rich nations: As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life (1 Tim 6:17-19).
Next: Darkness