Sermon on the Mount Series - Part 7         Overcoming Materialism and Anxiety - Matthew 6:19-34

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After calling for personal sincere devotion toward God, Jesus confronts another subtle rival for human worship: materialism and anxiety. In Matthew 6:19–34, he exposes materialism as a perspective problem and offers freedom from debilitating worry.

 

The Trap of Materialism

Jesus commands his disciples not to hoard wealth on earth, where moths destroy, vermin eat away, and thieves dig through clay walls to steal. Earthly treasures are inherently corruptible and transient. Instead, Jesus calls for zeal in laying up heavenly treasures—investing in spiritual character, obedience, and kingdom impact that survive beyond the grave. The core principle is clear: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

 

Jesus illustrates this with the metaphor of the eye. A “good eye” represents single-minded, undivided loyalty to God. Divided loyalty is impossible because no slave can serve two masters simultaneously; you cannot devote yourself to both God and wealth.

 

The Eightfold Argument Against Worry

From materialism, Jesus turns directly to anxiety regarding basic physical survival. He offers eight distinct reasons why worry is incompatible with kingdom faith:

 

  1. 🔴It is Unlawful: It makes physical concerns an idol above trust in God.
  2. 🔴It is Unreasonable: God created life and the body; he will surely provide food and clothing.
  3. 🔴It is Unworthy: God feeds the birds and clothes the grass; his redeemed children are far more valuable.
  4. 🔴It is Unproductive: Worry cannot add a single hour to a person’s life.
  5. 🔴It is Unbelief: Anxiety doubts God’s character, acting as if he is helpless or uncaring.
  6. 🔴It is Unchristian: It lowers believers to the fearful standard of unbelievers.
  7. 🔴It is Unnecessary: Our Heavenly Father already knows our needs before we ask.
  8. 🔴It is Unrighteous: Worry steals time and energy that belong to seeking God’s kingdom.
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The Divine Remedy

The ultimate cure for anxiety is a reordering of priorities: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Believers are called to live intentionally in the present, trusting God for today’s needs rather than borrowing trouble from tomorrow.

 

Coaches’ Application Questions:

  1. 👉Are you placing your ultimate security and self-worth in win-loss records, job security, or financial advancement, or in eternal, heavenly investment?
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  3. 👉When anxiety about upcoming games, parent meetings, health issues, or contract renewals creeps in, how can you practically redirect your mind to seeking God’s kingdom first?

Anxious About Material Things?

It is our flesh and pride that dangerously provoke us to make more money, buy more things, give our children everything they desire, etc. Making money to provide needs for our families is not the problem. Jesus clearly warned it's the LOVE of money that is the root of all evil. He tells us to stop striving to store up treasures on earth that decay and distract the heart from seeking His treasures. As believers, we are sometimes faithless in God's provision for our lives and families. We may not receive all that we "want", but Jesus promises that God will provide what we "need."

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