Title: The Priority of Provision

Pericope: Matthew 6:19-24

Text: Matthew 6:19

19 “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.

1.    Do not store up things of value that are temporary - Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and vermin destroy and where thieves break in a steal.

     i.          Exodus 16. When God provided manna some tried to store it up and it rotted.

     ii.          Joshua 7. When Israel took over Jericho, all the spoils of war were to belong to the treasury of the Lord.

     iii.          Acts 5:1-11 Annanias and Sapphira stored up for themselves the sale money of property they sold and deceived the leaders when giving to the community.

2.    But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and vermin do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal.

     a.    Jesus leans in on this concept of treasure in other places... Matthew 13:44 NIV “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

3.    For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Application:

●      Ask yourself and honest question, have I been storing up treasures on earth?

●      I see the freedom I have by setting my priorities, but what should I be doing with my provision? [these are not in order]

a.    Meet your basic needs and care for your family

b.    The causes of Christ - moving the Kingdom forward (much of which but is done through the local church)