SOLID INVESTMENT
Opening Prayer
Mighty God, let me with singleness of heart, be stretched toward You. Draw me to You now.
Read Matthew 6:16–24
Fasting
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[a] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[b] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Footnotes
- Matthew 6:22 The Greek for healthy here implies generous.
- Matthew 6:23 The Greek for unhealthy here implies stingy.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Consider your day’s work – what lies ahead or what is already done. Prayerfully reflect on what or who motivates you to work hard.Throughout his sermon, Jesus consistently points his followers to the intimacy they now enjoy with God. How do you respond to Jesus’ assertion that God sees everything you do (v 18)? Do we consider that whenever we give, pray, and fast, out of love and honor for our heavenly Father, we are making an investment (v 18)?
No one wants to lose what they have worked hard for, whether that’s a wool coat damaged by moths or a whole day’s work not backed-up. The things we care about, the things we want to last, we protect. If you knew of an investment that gave a sure return, wouldn’t depreciate or vanish, wouldn’t you invest (v 20)? Surely our greatest heavenly treasure, which will not fade or perish, is our relationship with our Father God. How are we investing in that relationship?
If we want to make good investment choices for life, we will need to see clearly (v 22; see John 8:12) so that we do not waste time working for a master who is not eternal and for things that do not last (v 24).
Apply
Belonging to God means every waking moment belongs to him. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct your work (whether paid or unpaid) and leisure so that you are investing in heaven.
Closing prayer
Dear Lord, I want to demonstrate to those around me, the difference You can make in a life. Guide and strengthen me to make those decisions in my daily living that will bring glory to Your name.
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