Matthew 6:19-24
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
Here are some questions to get your thinking started:
- What’s your first impression of this text?
- How do we "store up treasures" here or in heaven?
- How do we decide what is important?
Valentine’s Day is Wednesday. Any thoughts on that? (For the blog legalists/purists: "Heart" is in the title this week, and Valentine’s Day is about the heart.)
What else is on your mind this week?
33 comments:
I had funny “vibes” about this morning’s sermon, like it was disengaging to most folks. Maybe the idea of fasting/giving up things is so foreign that it’s hard to understand? My Wednesday evening class really seemed to embrace the idea, however. Maybe the idea of fasting is too hard to handle without any preparation? None of this particularly bothers me. I am just trying to figure out communication (preaching). I think my perceptions, if true, affirm the importance of collaboration and communal learning.
I also think this week's text is very related to the idea of fasting.
Very much related to what I just said is this interesting quote from Joel B. Green, in Narrative Reading, Narrative Preaching - Reuniting New Testament Interpretation and Proclamation (p. 23). Notice how he emphasizes the important of collaboration and communal learning. This approach helps contextualize Scriptural truth into local communities. I think this is very important. It guards against individual arrogance, among other things.
For those genuinely interested in interpreting the Bible as Scripture, the single most important practice to cultivate is the involvement in reading the Bible with others who take its message seriously and who meet regularly to discern its meaning for faith and life. The best interpretations of Scripture are those actively engaged in communities of biblical interpretation. If such a group is multigenerational and multicultural, this is even better. Among the reasons for this, let me mention two. First, the books of the Bible have their genesis and formation within the community of God’s people. They speak most clearly and effectively from within and to communities of believers. No interpretive tool, no advanced training can substitute for active participation in a community of Bible readers.
A second reason for reading the Bible with others is our proclivity toward self-deception. One of the most tragic effects of Bible reading can be that we read our lives into it in such a way that we find in its pages divine license for those of our attitudes and practices that are more base than biblical. Our experience is too often that we apply challenging messages to the lives of others, while assuming too quickly that the Bible supports our ways of thinking and acting. We read Scripture in order to be addressed by God and formed by God’s Word. Other people set on the same purpose can take us to task so that we might hear more faithfully God’s voice at those moments when we are tempted to substitute our word for God’s.
Jean & Michelle; what a great website. I ordered the book!
Allen, I can't seem to get off of the topic of Sunday. Maybe the disconnect you sensed was the trouble people were having grasping what you were saying and maybe personal guilt
RR
The first part of this passage has always been a comfort to me. In a world where people are judged by what they have this is a great equalizer to me. I have never felt less of a person because I don't have stuff. Things are nice but I don't need things to make me happy. In fact I feel very rich if I can pay bills and buy food.
The second part of this passage means a lot to me. When I take my eyes off of God by straying off the path the world becomes dark. When I am on the right path an arrow will roll off my back but when off the path the arrow becomes a dagger that stabs me in the back. It makes a big difference in how you react to life in general. And how content and happy you are inside.
The third part is a big caution sign to me. I have never had much money so I don't feel it applies to me in that way. However, it does apply to anything I place above my desire for God, that could be anything not just money.
Maybe I'm off on this but I feel the sermon on sunday was just fine. I think that satan wants to make us feel like its not something we want to do. I think it will challenge some of us to do things like fasting to deepen our relationship with God. Maybe what you felt Allen was rapt listening! When someone is spiritually hungry they are always looking for ways to get what they are after, they will take hold of what they hear and use it. The example of the three little girls was just that a great example and I am so glad you used it.
Annette
Allen, for what it's worth...
I was so determined to hear the sermon yesterday that I left Daddy at home with a sick girl and sat in the very back nursing Anna so I wouldn't have to leave.
I have neglected fasting during this "baby" time of my life--for obvious nutritional reasons. Your sermon helped me to realize that giving up something other than food is the way for me to get back to it sooner rather than later.
As far as the disconnect...we are all really spoiled. We really do tend to elevate indulgences of every kind over the supreme indulgence of communing with our Creator--and Lover. (There's the point relevant to this week!)
Ryan, I know you will enjoy the book. I have only read excerpts and checked out the blog every now and then. My friend who fasted for 40 days last year had great things to say about it.
Oh and one more thing. I got to meet Erin at the sunday evening service. It was so nice to put a face to a blog name. I say we have a blog party so we can all know who each other is.
Annette
I think as we get older we focus more on what really matters most and the 'things' that hold the most importance are not 'things', they are my family and friends and my relationship with God. Of the 'things' that hold the most meaning to me are the items that were once used by my mother and dad, grandma and grandpa and our kids and pictures. The reason they are important to me is that they evoke memories of my love for those people and that is worth more than the things. I have the coffee mug my grandpa drank from, the pincushion my mom used to make my first dress, grandma's crocheted doilies, gifts from Effie Inman, friends and family and best of all the pictures of the boys growing up, family vacations and good times. I will admit that I have a hard time turning loose of things probably because of my upbringing. We had very little in the way of posessions. I had parents and grandparents who survived the depression and nothing was ever wasted or thrown away. There was a use for everything down to the last stitch. I still fight with the temptation of holding onto things in fear of being without. Things can become a master over us when they consume so much time to maintain, store and acquire. I never tire of my friends, family or of God's creation. They are constantly new to me and interesting unlike the new 'things' that are old to me in a week or two. My goal this year is to clear out the things not used and simplify my life and get down to the basics. I think in having only enough to live from day to day as we have been promised helps us appreciate our daily blessings more. I think having more only makes us want more and it is a real tool of the devil to consume our time and resources and our peace of mind. I resolve this year to rid myself of the 'junk' and narrow it down to the basics. I saw on a news program last night that in Indianapolis alone there are 3500 homeless people and only 800 beds to provide shelter for them through this cold weather. There were sleeping bags under bridges, in doorways and on the streets in the city that brought the Super Bowl win home. What has happened to us and what happened to those who are homeless. I know some choose it but I cannot believe they all do. I could not bear the thought of a loved one of mine out in the cold. Where are the families of these people? What has happened in their lives to bring them to this point? I'm sure they appreciate a warm bed and a warm meal. I think what we are doing in Louisville is wonderful. It takes us out of the comfort zone of numbness we get into. I hope I can go down with everyone soon. I have rambled on too long. Love you all, Sherron
At first thought I dont get why the verses talking about the eye are in here. It seems to me that we move from one thought about material posesions and things we idelize to something completely different and then back to the material things. Am I missing a connection here?
I also dont think that these verses are just talking about not storing up material posesions. I think its more, like our thoughts, and anything that keeps us from thinking about kingdom thoughts and not holding Christ as our treasure.
On Valentine's Days... I've never really been fond of the day... mostly because up until last year I never had anyone to celebrate it with... But then I'm unfond of the day because I'd rather be shown the little acts of affection that are shown on V-Day on other random days of the year. I dont expect them everyday but I just dont want to be shown them just because the world says to men that they must buy their women jewlery and roses on Feb. 14th. (Sorry I'm such a valentine's snob! :O)
It ties in because the storing of earthly treasures is what you have your eyes on if you do this. And then what follows about not serving two masters is also what your eyes are on. So in other words keep your eyes and desires on God because you will therefore be in the light.
Annette
One way in which we (myself specifically) store up our treasures here on earth is by the many plans that we make. There is nothing wrong with making plans and wanting to do something, but when these ideas of what we want take over, and we become extremely upset when they don't happen, then we are letting God see what is important to us.
Wow! What a great start to the week! I appreciate the honesty, the encouragement, and the great insights.
I am battling depression over the disappointing weather. Looks like we are just going to get the dreaded "wintry mix." Sounds like candy, and like candy, not very satisfying.
Valentine's Day is a sad day for me, but I try not to dwell on that for very long. This year I decided to do something different than just be sad. My 8 yr old and I went and picked out a beautiful bouquet of roses for our elderly neighbor. Do you have any idea of how long it can take to choose just the perfect bouquet!!! :) My neighbor's husband has been gone(dead) for many years and in Jan her disabled son died, so she is quite alone now. Emmie took the flowers and a child's valentine card to her and she was so happy. I wonder how long it has been since someone gave her roses...it made ME so happy!! And then we bought one of those crazy singing gorillas ("wild thing , you make my heart sing") for an 85 year old man whose wife was my sunday school teacher when I was a toddler. Just imagining his face when he opens the box and presses the button on the gorilla's foot makes my heart sing!!! Valentine's Day has been wonderful this year!!
Props to the woman posted above me who chose the path of service. What a great example you have given your daughter, and all of us. Service and self-sacrifice are two of the fastest tickets out of the land of self-obsession. Relating this to Matthew 6... when I seek to serve my own interests, investing only in myself and my wants, I am storing up treasures on earth that will burn up with the world. Investing in the Kingdom of God requires denial of self, service to others, and sacrifice for the sake of our Savior.
Hoo Boy! It looks like I may be stuck here at the hospital. Some people have not been able to make it into work. The hospital is paying the day and evening shift people to sleep here tonight in case people can't make it in. That doesn't help me tho with my small department, if my replacement doesn't make it in I cannot leave and I doubt they will have anyone to replace me that can do my job.
It has snowed most of the night here but it has also been sleeting and raining in between. Our security guard got stuck on the ice in his suv trying to make it up the road in between the hospital nad the parking garage. The temp has been around 29 the whole night. If the temp dips down like it does a lot in the pre dawn hours I fear the roads will be a sheet of ice. The computer has showed Mitchell's temp as 34 most of the night. I hope the ice misses us. Even if it misses us this morning it looks like the freezing rain will get us in the afternoon.
Please be careful everyone.
Annette
Just a couple of funny things left over from Sunday’s focus on fasting. TW told me that during the sermon that his young son, Trey, leaned over and said, “I am going to give up the next 52 days of school.” Hey, at least he was listening.
Sunday night Nobe said that he was going to get the Gold Club together, drive to the Black Buggy restaurant in Washington. Once there they would get a glass a water, say a prayer, and then come home. He suggested that I come with them. I think that was a threat.
Come on Allen!
The best fast that Nobe said was the one Sunday night. I believe it was something about you should fast from telling jokes!!! Ha ha
Sounds like Trey is taking after TW.
RR
Allen, get out the wooden spoon.
Men, have you noticed that more women post here than you do (and they are good posts to boot).
Where are you at?
Let us know what you think. Come on it doesn't hurt.
I liked what Sherron had to say...and I agree with her completely. As I get older I am realizing that "things" are not important at all. Each day I find a desire to know my friends and family in a deeper way. I have been telling myself I need to simplify my life also...get rid of everything I have been holding onto for no reason. I hope to be rid of most of those things by spring time. That is my goal.
I also agree with Erin on the Valentine's Day thing. John shows me every day how much he loves me and our family by the little things he does. That means more to me than anything he could ever give me on Feb 14th.
I would also like to say to the woman who took the time to make others feel special...that was AWESOME...we can all learn something from you and your daughter really has a special mom as a role model!!!
Melissa
Here are some good thoughts about our passage, especially the part about the “eye,”
from The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard (206-7):
Remember that our heart is our will, or our spirit: the center of our being from which our life flows. It is what gives orientation to everything we do. A heart rightly directed therefore brings health and wholeness to the entire personality.
To bring this truth home to us, Jesus compares our “heartsight” to our eyesight. We know how our eyesight affects our body in its environment. “The eye is the lamp of the body.” If the eye works well, then the body easily moves about in its environment. As Jesus puts it, “Our whole body is well directed,” is “full of light” (6:23).
The person who treasures what lies within the kingdom sees everything in its true worth and relationship. The person who treasures what is “on earth,” by contrast, sees everything from a perspective that distorts it and systematically misleads in practice. The relative importance of things is, in particular, misperceived. The person who is addicted to a drug or to some activity is but an extreme case. All else is seen only in its relation to the object of the addiction and enjoyment of it–even one’s own body and soul.
Thus, “if your eyes are bad, your body as a whole is in the dark.” But if the eye of your soul, “the light within you,” is not functioning, then you are in the dark about everything (6:23). You are, simply, lost. You don’t know where you are or where you are going. This is what it means to be a “lost soul,” a dead soul.
Here is a list of The 100 Greatest Love Songs. What do you think? Reading the list brings back lots of memories.
Hey, how ‘bout a few thoughts, here on a cold Valentine’s Eve:
February 14, 270 A.D.:
According to tradition, Valentine, a priest in Rome during the reign of Claudius II, is beheaded along the Flaminian Way. One explanation for Valentine's subsequent relationship to the romantic holiday is this: Claudius, seeking to more easily recruit soldiers, removed family ties by forbidding marriage. Valentine ignored the order and performed secret marriages—an act that led to his arrest and execution.
For more information on St. Valentine click HERE.
I need to confess that I am not a big Valentine’s Day guy, but I will participate. I don’t care much for “card holidays.” I guess that comment will get me in trouble??
And one more attempt to get me in trouble (Kedra is already wanting to know what memories I am having as a result of the love song list), an article entitled: Male Sweat Can Boost Arousal in Women. My favorite quote from this scientific article:
"This is the first time anyone has demonstrated that a change in women's hormonal levels is induced by sniffing an identified compound of male sweat," said study leader Claire Wyart, a postdoctoral fellow at UC Berkeley. "There is much more going on than we think when we are smelling body odor."
So I guess it’s best not to bathe on Valentine’s Day?
Love, is a burning flame, burns in a firey ring...Love, is my one desire, burns in a ring of fire...
Make sense, I guess, if women aroused to sweat...fire, sweat...
What is the most overused gift for Valentine's Day?
Allen, maybe you can sing us a few notes from the sappy love list on Sunday.
And to suit Lester, treasures link directly to the heart. And our eyes often determine what our treasures are...The biggest message that I get from this passage is that Faith and Obedience is a direct correlation of our Love towards God. We say we love, but yet disobey (while knowing, yet we still continue)which has to mirror our faith...Our treasue must be unseen.
This would make a great passage for Lectio Divina. Powerful upon meditation...Makes me think atleast.
Allow me to clear something up for you, just in case you're confused: WOMEN ARE NOT AROUSED BY STINKY, SWEATY MEN!!! Don't believe everything you read.
Donna
Donna, some very important questions for you:
Are you speaking for all women? [I wonder how French women feel about this? Isn't there some story about Napoleon not bathing or something?]
Are you afraid to reveal the truth?
Let's cut to the chase: are you a sweatophobe?
Happy Valentines Day!
All the jesting made me think of what people used to do in the days before daily bathing, toothpaste and all the other like things that are so much a part what we do today.
I remember reading a love story years ago that mentioned the lady taking a cloth to use on her teeth to freshen her mouth.
My grandmother told me and my cousin (we were teenagers at the time) that in her day of dating they used to put a clove in their mouth to freshen their breath.
Any one else have any stories they remember the old folks telling them about this? I think it would be interesting to hear.
Annette
How do you define beauty? That was the question that came to my mind as I read THIS ARTICLE about how Cleopatra may have not been so beautiful after all. This conclusion is based on her picture on an ancient coin. Must have been a slow news day, and I was having an A.D.D. moment.
The article did make me think about our passage for the week, however. What’s the old saying? “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Isn’t that what Jesus is getting at, when he speaks about the eye? If we can see clearly, then we will see that the things of this world are not so beautiful after all. [I am not talking about the beauty of creation, which can lead us into the throne room of God.] I guess the question is, “Yeah, but how?” How do we develop our eyesight? How do we learn to treasure the right things, the heavenly things? Can you give me some specifics?
I have found that if I am paying attention to something that I should not be that I just move away from it and find something else to do because if I don't I spend too much time thinking about it and it is a waste of time. For instance, this obsession about Anna Nicole on TV. Bill and I are both so tired of hearing about this sad person and all the 'stuff' surrounding her death that we move from the news to the Travel Channel or HGTV or I just go upstairs and read or go to the craft room and try to find something more creative to do with my time and my mind. Negative things that we watch and fill our eyes and minds with does have an effect on our whole day and it is wasted time. Time and life is precious and short and there is much to do that is positive and uplifting to others and to God. I so much appreciated the blog from the lady who chose not to bask in sadness and got out and did something for someone else to brighten their day. It brightened hers too and took the focus off self and what a wonderful example for her child. Anything that takes us out of ourselves and into someone else's life who needs us is truly exhibiting the heart of a servant. You inspired me today, Thank you. Love you all Sherron
I hope everyone was listening to what Sherron just said. It is a "truth" to grasp. Turn away from things that are not good, and if you practice this life is so much better. Think of what is good and pure. Your thinking is what you become.
I was just trying to explain this to Luke. He is so angry inside with certain people. His thoughts are "I will beat this person up when I grow up" as a way to handle his angry feelings. I told him this way of thinking only hurts him, not the people he is angry with. I told him to think about good things instead of bad. He said "there are only bad things going on in his life and don't tell me to pray because I pray every night" (I was happy to hear that!) So I told him there are good things, find them and spend your time thinking about those and your life will get better. I may not know how to help Luke as much as he needs, but I do know I will continue to tell him things like this over and over until he gets it.
Annette
The beginning of This Article about marriage seminars oversees really caught my eye:
To the Makua people, buying flowers for your wife isn’t romantic. It’s absurd.
“If you really want to please your wife, you need to bring home rats for her to eat,” men from the tribe in Mozambique told missionaries during a discussion of Christian marriage. Field rats are considered a high-protein show of affection in the African nation, said missionary Mika Roland, who related the story.
I don't think this tribe uses deodorant, so there really must be more going on behind that body odor that we know.
I would like for some of you men to try an experiment in the next week or so.
Step 1: Don't bathe or do anything to keep body odor away.
Step 2: Bring some rats home to your wife as a show of affection.
Step 3: Let us know what happens, if you able.
Allen, I'm not a sweataphobe. I'm not irrationally afraid of sweat, I just don't like it! :0) And, yes, I do speak for all women. Ok, maybe not French women. I can't begin to imagine what goes on in the minds of women who don't shave their underarms...
Donna
Valentine’s Day must bring out weird articles. So in another moment of not being able to stay focused and on task, I read an article entitled Honesty Hasn't Been Working for Lonely Guy's Web Site. This guy puts his “worst foot forward" (look at the picture)in the name of honesty, it seems to me. What do you think? And just how should we present ourselves to others? Does this relate to the text in any way?
Check out this Cool Clock that a cool friend sent to me.
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