The Puritans used to say, “Let us use the world but enjoy the Lord.” Modern professing Christians often say it the other way around. Let us use the Lord but enjoy the world. And so we are forced to ask a question, three questions in fact. Where is our treasure? Where is our spiritual vision folks, and who is our master, who do you love, who do you serve? 

Matthew 6:19-24

From the eldest to the youngest, we all have some ambition. Jesus abruptly changes subjects and emphasis at v. 19 of this chapter.

“In the first 18 vss of Matthew, Jesus describes the Christian’s private life ‘in the secret place’ (giving, praying, fasting); in the second half (vss. 19-34) he is concerned with our public business in the world (questions of money, possessions, food, drink, clothing and ambition).”

“Followers of Jesus not only shun hypocrisy in religious duty, but more positively, they comprehend that all of life is to be lived and all its attitudes are to be formed according to the perspectives of the kingdom.” (D. A. Carson)

Beginning with v. 19 Jesus instructs us about our ambition or desire to stockpile treasures. The complex which he is confronting is the problem area of worldliness. He tells us in v. 19 not to lay up treasures of a solely earthly nature for ourselves. Many wrongly limit this to meaning only money. But Jesus did not say, “Lay not up money for yourselves.” He said, lay not up treasures. In fact, many ambitious are non-materialistic. The term ‘treasure’ is more encompassing than money and is all inclusive. What Jesus teaches us is about our attitude toward possessions or our ambition. You see, not only the affluent, but also the impoverished (e.g., the original disciple) and all in between have earthly ambition and many times a sinful attitude toward possessions. Worldly ambition has a strong fascination focus. So treasure is bigger than mere wealth. Treasure may refer to status, the love of honor, the love of position, power or an illegitimate love of one’s work. An earthly treasure is anything that centers on this world only or that which displaces our vision away from God.

Let me show you what I mean. Let me help you clarify what your ambitions or earthly treasures are. All of us have them. Think of the three things that you desire most. Be honest. Here’s a good way to recognize those things if you have trouble. Do you ever have insomnia? And after tossing endlessly, do you try to put yourself to sleep by thinking pleasant thoughts? Many try to take the advice of Julie Andrews in her song from the Sound of Music— “These are a few of my favorite things.”

I don’t know a soul who’s never had a sleepless night. And how do we try to comfort ourselves?

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