by Ma. Teresa Baniaga

Created on: April 30, 2009

A Study on Matthew 6: 19 to 34

This worldwide recession is giving a lot of people, especially Christians, a fresh and clearer perspective on worldly wealth. Taking a closer look at how Jesus wants His disciples to handle wealth, we can see that His way is the safest, most logical approach to something as tempting and corrupting as wealth. We have known, seen and possessed unprecedented amounts of wealth in our time and yet, the world has never been more impoverished and steeped in pain, suffering and greed.

Jesus' teaching on treasures, both here and in the afterlife, is worth another close look for answers we might just find most relevant in these days of great financial uncertainties.

In this Bible Study, we are turning to the Book of Life to find God's instructions to see us through these financially-difficult times. Once again, we can prove that the Bible, ancient as it is, can be most relevant when it comes to questions about life, man's guidance on matters of great import and even world events.

Verse 19

The best safeguard against falling for the pitfalls of loving money is to enthrone Christ as King in your heart. When He rules our heart and life, we will avoid the snares and enticement of the enemy in the form of easy wealth and unending pleasures.

It is clearly stated in the Bible that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Money is not the root, but man's love for it; his unending greed and non contentment. Man, in his fallen state, just does not know how to say "enough."

Therefore, the Lord taught us to lay up treasures in heaven and not on earth. Man, being a spiritual being, will live forever and ever. Laying up treasures for the temporal world just will not do because eternity is much longer than the life we have here on earth. It is unwise to think only of the wealth we can amass here in this short life, when we are faced with an eternal future with not much to look forward to.

So, how do we lay up treasures in heaven while still here on earth?

First, we must have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, otherwise, we are not qualified to get to heaven. If we are not citizens of heaven, how can we lay up treasures there?

Second, it is wise for us to honor God with our worldly wealth, so that we are safeguarded from making it (worldly wealth) our god. Honoring God with our wealth means using it for legitimate needs and obeying His explicit commands on charity and tithing.

a. Tithing. This is a direct command from God in Deuteronomy

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