Series: Matthew and Money.
“If I had more money, I’d be happy…I’d give more…I’d have time and energy to serve in my church.”
“When I earn enough I’ll become a faithful giver.”
“I worry all the time about my finances.”
Do any of these sentiments resonate with you?
Our attitude towards money and possessions often reveals who is king of our heart. Matthew understood this well. Also known as Levi, Matthew was a tax collector by profession before becoming one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. Tax collectors were seen as collaborators with the Roman authorities and were often associated with greed and corruption. The Jews treated them with disdain. But Matthew’s encounter with Jesus transformed his life forever. He left his lucrative position to follow Christ as King (Matt 9:9-13). Nothing compares to being part of Christ’s kingdom (Matt 13:44-46).
The god of materialism.
In the coming weeks, we’ll explore texts from Matthew’s gospel concerning money, often referred to as “mammon”. Mammon embodies materialism. We may not consider ourselves materialistic, but our fixation on things we own or want may tell a different story. We don’t have to be rich to serve mammon. Both the rich and the poor struggle with greed and covetousness, because the god of materialism beckons us all to worship at its altar.
Jesus warns us that we can’t serve two masters; we must choose whom we will love. I heard a principle long ago which I have never forgotten: We will only sacrifice for our God. If we are willing to sacrifice for the sake of money rather than Christ, we are fooling ourselves–money has become our god.
Two investments.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is addressing believers. He contrasts two investments, two masters and two visions:
“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, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, 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 (Matthew 6:19-24.)
A Harvard study spanning from 1938 to 1992 asked participants how much money they needed to be happy. Regardless of income, almost every participant claimed they needed double what they earned. No one was content with their current financial status. As Christians, we should pay attention to studies like this, as we too are prone to discontent, greed and idolatry. We are materialists at heart, wired to pursue what is bigger, newer, better than what we have, but this leads us into a trap (1 Tim 6:6-9; James 5:1-3).
Jesus reminds us that a fruitful Christian life does not stem from having more earthly wealth, but from contentment with what we have and an eagerness to use our resources right now for eternal good, since God’s Kingdom is infinitely more valuable than any earthly treasure. The true King and His Kingdom priorities deserve our full attention and loyalty (Matt 6:25).
What are our earthly “treasures”? Our treasures are all the gifts and resources that God has given us to use for His glory. They consist of time, talents, energy, creativity, and material wealth and possessions.
In the equivalent passage in Luke, Jesus warns us to watch out and be on our guard against all kinds of greed, because life does not consist in an abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15).
This warning is particularly apt for us, as humanity has created a world filled with excess and indulgence. Coupled with our covetous hearts, it’s easy for our desire for consumption to become the all-encompassing motive and drive of our lives. The only way out is contentment (Phil 4:11-13).
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
To understand Jesus’s teaching on money, we need to see it in the context of the whole sermon on the Mount. Jesus has been speaking to his disciples about what it means to lead a righteous life on earth. The Lord looks not only at our outward acts, but also at the motives of our hearts. As an example, Jesus contrasts the right kind of giving and the wrong kind of giving (Matt 6:2-4). What we do and why we do it are both important (Matt 6:1-2; 5-6; 16-17).
The person who gives for the applause of others has received their reward in full. There will be no reward in heaven. But if a person gives for the love of God, his/her reward will last into eternity.
Matthew 6:19-24 addresses the temptation of a covetous heart. The world encourages us to look around; to compare ourselves with those who have more than us; to flaunt our stuff and stockpile wealth. But Jesus warns that a focus on earthly treasures diverts our devotion away from God. Nothing has the capacity to choke our spiritual fruitfulness like the deceitfulness of wealth, or the anxiety that accompanies materialism (Matthew 13:22).
Importantly, money isn’t inherently evil. It’s neutral and can be used for good (1 Tim 4:4). It’s not that believers must give away everything we own, close our bank accounts and neglect our families (1 Tim 5:8). Other Scriptures speak to the wisdom of hard work and planning ahead (Prov 6:6-8), as well as the blessing of inheritance for children’s children (Prov 13:22). The issue lies in the love of money, which leads to selfish pursuits and idolatry rather than being a blessing to others.
Two Masters, Two Visions.
Jesus states, “No one can serve two masters. You cannot serve both God and money.” A Master demands full attention, setting priorities for us. He requires devotion and faithful service. If Jesus is our Master, then we are stewards of everything He entrusts to us, including our wealth and possessions. The Lord does not tolerate moonlighting—the act of working an extra job for another boss. A desire for riches can quickly become more important that our walk with God.
Jesus later uses the metaphor of vision to illustrate our focus: our eyes must be directed toward heavenly things to be filled with light. We cannot have squint eyes that dart in different directions (Matt 6:22-23). Being fixated on material things casts a shadow over everything we think or do. It darkens and dims our spiritual sight. We soon become foolish.
In Luke 12, Jesus gives an example of the rich fool who tore down his old barns and built new ones to store his abundance of grain. After selfishly stockpiling wealth with no regard for God, the man died, leaving it all behind. Jesus says, “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:21). His attitude to money was greedy, grasping and godless. Ultimately, the rich man was a fool as he had no eternal view.
The Eternal View.
Reflecting on the Sermon on the Mount encourages me to evaluate my life through an eternal lens. What captivates my heart? Am I double-minded? Do I love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind, strength…and money? Do I seek security in Christ or in money?
In a consumer-driven world which trains us to serve mammon instead of God, you and I must guard against a covetous heart. Maintaining an eternal perspective helps us resist the love of money.
Our material possessions won’t last beyond this life, but the good we do for God’s kingdom endures forever. Loving God and our neighbour with all the gifts and resources that God has given us is what it means to be rich toward God.
Two Banks, Two treasures.
Jesus reminds us that investing in an earthly bank ultimately yields frustration and emptiness. Material possessions are unreliable; they can be lost and eroded. Thieves identify the wealthy and steal their possessions. Cars rust and property markets crash. The world’s bank will ultimately fail (Matt 6:19), because material possessions do not ultimately provide security (1 Tim 6:17). Like the ancient Pharaohs who rotted alongside their elaborate treasures, we will die and leave it all behind. As the writer of Proverbs noted, “In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle” (Prov 23:4-5).
In contrast, heavenly treasures are secure and eternal. All our acts of obedience and giving are treasures laid up in heaven. Investing in God’s kingdom offers contentment and the joy of being a cheerful giver in the here and now, but the ultimate dividends will be paid in eternity. We cannot begin to imagine the rewards God has in store for us. Investing in heaven’s bank is the best investment choice we will ever make.
This passage challenges us to examine whether we serve money, or allow our money to serve the Lord. Are we using our resources for God’s kingdom and glory? Are we investing in precious souls that will last for eternity?
Jesus demonstrated the right attitude toward wealth: “Though he was rich, he became poor, so that you through his poverty, might become rich.” (2 Cor 8:9) God has secured His children’s eternal wealth on the cross.
Money is a mirror.
Ultimately, our relationship with money mirrors our relationship with God. Levon Helm expresses the heart cry of materialism, “Feelin’ good, feelin’ good, all the money in the world spent on feelin’ good.” In contrast, those who love the Lord cry for heaven. We are called to prioritise eternal investments over temporary treasures and pleasures. Being rich towards God means that our hearts are aligned with His Kingdom and His values. By focusing on what truly matters, we can resist the lure of materialism and live a life that treasures Christ above all else.
