Memory Verses:
7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:7-8 NKJV
Today, we delve into a topic that touches every aspect of our lives—finances. Money is not just a practical necessity but also a profound spiritual issue. Jesus spoke about money frequently, not because He was concerned with wealth, but because our relationship with money often reveals the state of our hearts. How we handle our finances reflects our trust in God and our commitment to His Kingdom.
Faith Over Finances Means Trusting God with Everything, Not Just Leftovers
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Generosity is a significant marker of spiritual growth. It’s not merely about giving from our surplus but about recognizing that all we have comes from God and is meant to be stewarded for His purposes. When we understand generosity as a spiritual discipline, it transforms how we view and manage our resources. It’s about aligning our hearts with God’s mission and finding joy in being part of His work.
Today, we’ll see how Jesus teaches us to shift our focus from financial stress to faith, from accumulation to trust, and from anxiety to peace. Through His words in Matthew 6:19-34, Jesus invites us to live with a Kingdom mindset—where our treasures are not stored on earth but in heaven, and where our security is found not in wealth but in God’s faithful provision.
Generosity Reflects of the Heart of God
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When we take time to look at Matthew 6, as Jesus is teaching in the sermon on the mount, we have some insight into this idea and concept of faith over finances. The background of this particular chapter is that Jesus starts this chapter with the idea of generosity and charitable giving. Which is not necessarily about tithing or giving to the church, it is about being a good steward to have something to give to those in need. As well as knowing that God sees what is done and not done and sees the heart behind the generosity.
Jesus then transitions into the same concept with a template on how to pray. This is typically called the Lord’s Prayer, but it is a Model of how to Pray. Inside of that prayer Jesus models a few things regarding stewardship and finances as well, brings up reward when people see people praying, and again the same context of generosity to the needy is the same for the prayer- God will reward openly what is asked, said in private. And then Jesus has a very beautiful and comforting statement in verse 8 of Matthew chapter 6; For your Father knows the things you need of before you ask Him”.
Then, in the prayer model, Jesus highlights that we are to give thanks and also ask for our daily needs—such as bread, eggs, milk, gasoline, a job, and clothes on our backs—which we will talk about at the end.
The next section after the prayer is about forgiveness and fasting, and Jesus mentions yet again that those who fast and make a big deal about it will receive their reward, and then again mentions that God will reward them in public. So, with all of that in mind, I believe in this chapter that Jesus is teaching us to trust the Father in everything, not finances.
Embracing a life of generosity and trust alleviates financial worries and fosters deeper spiritual growth. By prioritizing God’s Kingdom, we experience the peace and freedom that comes from trusting Him with our needs. Let’s dive into these truths and see how Jesus calls us to live beyond the pressures of financial burdens into a life marked by faith and generosity.
Treasure & Heart
Matthew 6:19-21
Opting for Temporary Pleasures Instead of Lasting Impact
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Our Spending Reveals Our Treasure
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Practically speaking, this teaching challenges us to reflect on our spending. For instance, consider the rising cost of youth sports. According to the Aspen Institute, parents spend an average of $883 per year on a child’s main sport, not including additional costs like travel, food, and accommodations.1 While investing in our children’s activities isn’t inherently wrong, it becomes problematic when it consumes resources that could support Kingdom work.
Similarly, consider dining out. The average person spends over $2,500 annually on eating out, even as many feel financial strain.2 Jesus calls us to keep our hearts focused on treasures that truly matter. While it’s essential to meet our needs and create memories for our families, we must ask ourselves: At what cost are we neglecting our spiritual responsibilities and overstretching our faith by overindulging in temporary pleasures?
1 https://occu.balancepro.org/resources/articles/balancing-the-family-sports-budget
2 https://nypost.com/2024/03/13/lifestyle/the-average-american-spends-over-2500-a-year-eating-out
Focus of Our Hearts
Matthew 6:22-24
Our Gaze Shapes Our Heart
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Finances Can Create Darkness or be a Light in Our Faith
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Trusting God
Matthew 19:25-34
Trusting God Replaces Anxiety with Our Worth
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God Knows Our Needs
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There is a healthy balance, there is a way to have fun, spend money, save, give back to God, and live the life that is a good steward. But the change must take place within your actions, in how you apply your own life.
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Do you have a giving, generosity, tithing, faith-based giving story?
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In your life, what is the looming money monster ahead of you, what are you afraid of right now?
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I challenge you not to be worried, scared, fearful, or anxious but instead to change your heart and ask God to provide, encourage, to open up the right doors when it comes to your finances.
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