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Matthew 5 deals with moral issues, chapter 6 deals with Christian piety and the spiritual aspects of our lives.
Matthew 6:16-18 – Jesus assumes that we will fast, He says, “when you fast.” The Jews were really involved in fasting. To the Jews, fasting was a sign of repentance. The senses are heightened during fasting.
Matthew 6:19-34 – Jesus is uncompromising when talking about our treasure, seeking permanent riches. After you have attended to your morals, you need to attend to your values. What is important, and what is less important. There is nothing wrong with money or possessions, but they are of secondary importance.
Luke 3:10-14 – Why are we putting energy into things that are “going back into the box.” Jesus calls us to put energy into things that will last through all eternity! Jesus wants to see tangible evidence that we have repented.
Luke 16:1-31 – Jesus told us what the final test is going to be and He gave us the answers! God wants us to get it all right on the test at the end. Jesus talks a lot about money and possessions, He knows that it is a big issue for us. You cannot serve both God and money.
Where your treasure is, that is where your heart is. Where is your pile of stuff? What do your checkbook and your schedule say about your resource focus? If you want to change your heart, change your treasure.
Whatever you worship, you will serve. That is the thing that you’ll put your time and energy into. You cannot serve two masters at one time. We must choose, the lie is that we can have both, but Jesus says that isn’t possible.
Scriptures used – Matthew 6, Luke 3, Matthew 25, Luke 16, Proverbs 20:22, 2 Peter 1:9,