20150820 MAMMON

MAMMON

Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (Mammon in the KJV).

I mentioned the word, “mammon” a couple days ago and want to repeat Matthew Henry’s definition here. Mammon is a Syriac word that signifies gain; so that whatever in this world is, or is accounted by us to be, gain, is mammon.

The NLT translates mammon as money, but not all people desire money as much as other things and any desire that competes with God for our attention is mammon. You cannot serve two masters unless they are both in full agreement. The masters of this world are not in agreement with the Master of all.

Again we must go back to repentance which is to agree with God. With that in mind, God believes He knows what is best for us, and His first commandment is that we would have no other gods but Him. So it is our duty of love to Him to agree that He does know best and put Him first above all other things. It is to make Him our only god.

Some would say, “I have no desire to be rich. I just don’t want to have to worry about having enough.” What that really means is, “I want to see that my cupboards are full. I want my refrigerator to be full. I don’t want to have to wait on God to come through tomorrow. I want to know way in advance what tomorrow holds. I don’t want to have trust God.” Ouch!

There is a story about George Mueller at one of the orphanages he started. One morning when the children gathered for breakfast there was no food and no milk in the home. George had the children bow their heads and he gave thanks for the food that God was going to provide that day. He gave thanks in faith that what he hoped for would actually happen (Hebrews 11:1).

As George said, “AMEN” there was a knock on the door. Two deliveries arrived within minutes of each other. One was a milk wagon that had broken down right outside the orphanage. The other was from a bakery that had an over-abundance of bread that morning.

Father in heaven, fill us with faith to trust You. Show us if there are any other desires in our hearts that we bow to as gods. Cleanse us of this sin and focus our eyes on You. Give us undivided hearts that worship You. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

20150818 TREASURE HUNT

TREASURE HUNT

Matthew 6:19-21 "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.  (20)  Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.  (21)  Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

In verse 24 we will look at the word, “Mammon.” “Mammon is a Syriac word, that signifies gain; so that whatever in this world is, or is accounted by us to be, gain (Phi_3:7), is mammon.” –Matthew Henry

The rest of this chapter begs the question, “What do I treasure? What do I consider to be true wealth?” I ask you to take a moment to ask your Heavenly Father to search your heart and give you an answer to that question right now. Please don’t rush through this today. Take some time now or put it on your calendar to do so sometime today.

Jesus points out the temporal state of all earthly treasures. They all fade away or are taken away over time. And they are not all physical, tangible things. In the earlier verses we find those who give, pray and fast for the treasure of the praise of men. Fame is a god for which we have written books, produced television shows and concocted competitions. People give all they have and put themselves through grueling practice and trials to gain a title. Others lose family, friends and health to climb the corporate ladder.

Treasure gained for self-importance, self-indulgence is treasure stored here on earth. It cannot break through to heaven’s shores. It is bound to this planet and chained to its fiery destruction.

Treasure gained for God’s glory and for the aid of others and dispersed in secret is everlasting treasure stored in heavenly lockers. Its full weight and worth will not be known until our works are judged by fire. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15  Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw.  (13)  But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person's work has any value.  (14)  If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.  (15)  But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

So, what are the desires of your heart? What do you want more than anything else? That is the answer to what you treasure. If the answer still eludes you, take a look at your expenditures and your calendar. What do you spend your money on and what do you spend your time on?

Father in heaven, search our hearts. See if there is any wicked way in us. Show us what we truly treasure and give us hearts willing to change. Put the right desires, Your desires in our hearts for Your glory and for the advancement of Your Kingdom. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!