Matthew 6:19f “Trust God!”
Bible Background: In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus’ teachings are summarized in “The Sermon on the Mount”, which was probably not one long sermon, but more a collection of Jesus’ sayings. This section invites hearers to rely on God fully!

Digging Deeper: 1. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also!” (6:21) goes along with “Store up treasures in heaven vs. storing up treasures on earth.” There’s a bumper sticker that says “S/he who dies with the most toys, wins!” A counter to that is: “S/he who dies with the most toys…is still dead!” This is a matter of priorities. It’s also a 1st Commandment question: Do we revere, love, and trust God above all things? Even more than our money and possessions? You know where Jesus is trying to steer our hearts and minds!

2. In v.24 Jesus declares “You cannot serve God and wealth!” That doesn’t keep us from trying, does it? In what ways might our money/possessions distance us from God? When we have much, do we seem to need as much trust in God? When someone has little, is it in some ways easier to depend on God?

3. The 2nd half of this reading focuses on “Do not worry!” Is that a reminder we could use daily?? How much worrying do we do about things which don’t much matter? Or things we cannot control? What things about our culture or life-style contribute to worry? In what ways do having money and possessions solve some of our worries? In what ways do they cause more worry?

4. Jesus antidote to ‘worry’ is to remind us how much God cares for us! If God can feed the birds of the air, and clothe the lilies of the field, God can certainly care for us! How aware of and grateful are you for God’s daily care?

5. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well!” (6:33). It sounds like if our hearts and priorities are devoted to God, that all the daily things of life will somehow take care of themselves. When have you found that to be true? When have you been exercising faith and trust in God and still found the daily things of life to be challenging?

6. U.S. money has printed on it “In God we Trust”. Do we? Or do we trust more in the almighty dollar? What if it read like a command: “Trust in God!”?

6. Next week we’ll read Mark 10:17-31, the story of The Rich Man.