Daily Reading: 8-5-16
Matthew 6:19-24The Message (MSG)
As His children, God asks us to be in step with His purposes (obedience) and be willing to offer all that we are and have at our disposal (stewardship) to increase His Kingdom. If we are going to serve as ambassadors of God’s heart, we need spiritual vision to see things from God’s perspective. There is no room for our self-serving inclinations or entitlement attitudes, because they will cause our spiritual vision to be diminished. The Holy Spirit not only feeds the Light within us, but He is the Light that makes Christ known to us.
In our passage, today, Jesus is teaching his disciples about living in the Light of true worship. A Christ follower cannot worship God and money. Both require single-hearted devotion; there can only be one lord. We need to choose based on what is more permanent. Jesus reminds his disciples they are immortal and therefore need to deposit in the security of the eternal Kingdom where no one can steal their investment. Not only do we reap what we sow, we reap based on where we sow. Jesus reminds every follower, “Seek first His Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt. 6:33).
Matthew 6:19-24 A Life of God-Worship
19-21 “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
22-23 “Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!
24 “You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both.
Prayer: Father, bringing you my gifts, talents, and resources is an honor. I gladly slow them into the soil of your eternal Kingdom. Please use them for the benefit of your redemptive purpose. In Jesus’ name. Amen.