(Mat) 6:19-24 CJB “Do not store up for yourselves wealth here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and burglars break in and steal. Instead, store up for yourselves wealth in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and burglars do not break in or steal. For where your wealth is, there your heart will be also. ‘The eye is the lamp of the body.’ So if you have a ‘good eye’ [that is, if you are generous] your whole body will be full of light; but if you have an ‘evil eye’ [if you are stingy] your whole body will be full of darkness. If, then, the light in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can be slave to two masters; for he will either hate the first and love the second, or scorn the second and be loyal to the first. You can’t be a slave to both God and money.”

Jesus completely redefines how His followers should think about wealth. He teaches us to use money for God’s kingdom rather than making money the goal of our lives. Every dollar we possess is either advancing God’s purposes or merely building our own temporary kingdom. The question is not whether we have money, but whether our money has us.

Money Is a Tool, Not an Identity

Money is one of God’s common graces. It serves as the means by which people exchange goods and services to meet legitimate needs. There is nothing sinful about earning, saving, investing, or providing for your family. In fact, Scripture commends diligence, wise planning, and faithful provision.

The danger comes when money moves from being our servant to becoming our master.

Many men quietly define success by the size of a paycheck, investment account, home, or retirement portfolio. Wealth becomes proof of intelligence, influence, accomplishment, or security. Instead of using money, they begin serving it.

Jesus exposes this deception.

Where your treasure is, your heart follows. What you value most ultimately reveals whom you worship.

Use Money for God’s Kingdom with Clear Vision

Jesus speaks about the “good eye” and the “evil eye.” In the Jewish understanding, a good eye described a generous person while an evil eye described a selfish or stingy one.

A generous man sees life through the lens of eternity.

A selfish man sees only what money can purchase today.

The generous man understands that every financial decision is a spiritual decision. He recognizes that one day he will stand before God and give an account for how he managed everything entrusted to him—including his money.

That future reality gives him clear vision.

He chooses to use money for God’s kingdom because he knows eternal investments never depreciate, rust, or disappear.

Eternal Treasure Never Loses Its Value

Earthly wealth always has an expiration date.

Markets rise and fall.

Possessions wear out.

Businesses fail.

Homes decay.

Even the wealth we preserve eventually passes to someone else.

But every dollar invested in God’s kingdom continues producing eternal fruit long after we leave this world.

When we support the proclamation of the gospel…

When we disciple men…

When we strengthen churches…

When we care for the poor…

When we send missionaries…

When we equip believers to obey Christ…

We are storing treasure where nothing can ever destroy it.

That investment lasts because the souls touched by the gospel will live forever.

You Cannot Serve God and Money

Jesus closes this section with a direct challenge.

No one can serve two masters.

Money makes a terrible god because it constantly demands more while never fully satisfying.

God alone deserves our worship because He alone gives eternal life.

The wise man does not ask, “How much can I accumulate?”

He asks, “How much can I leverage for Christ?”

He sees himself as a steward rather than an owner.

His greatest desire is not to enlarge his personal kingdom but God’s Kingdom.

His greatest joy is seeing Jesus lifted up so others might believe, follow Him, and glorify God forever.

That is the man whose treasure—and heart—are safely invested in heaven.

Run Today’s Play

Ask yourself these questions today:

• Where is my money revealing that my heart truly is?
• Am I using money primarily to build my kingdom or God’s Kingdom?
• What investment can I make this week that will produce eternal fruit?
• Is there a ministry, missionary, church, or person I should generously support?
• Review your budget and intentionally redirect a portion toward advancing the gospel.

Remember: Money is a wonderful servant but a cruel master. Hold it loosely, steward it wisely, and use money for God’s kingdom so that when you stand before Christ, you will hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”