WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.379 We've been studying now for a bit of time the book of Ecclesiastes and looking at the words of the preacher. 00:00:08.220 --> 00:00:11.259 I'm going to say this to you every week just because I think it matters. 00:00:12.099 --> 00:00:17.379 Most scholars believe that the book of Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon, and I tend to agree. 00:00:17.660 --> 00:00:26.359 I think it's most likely that that's who this writer is, but we don't know that for a fact because he just doesn't say in the book, to be sure. 00:00:26.359 --> 00:00:30.219 There's not enough detail to sort that all out. 00:00:30.280 --> 00:00:34.840 And so he calls himself the preacher, and therefore, that's what I'm going to call him. 00:00:36.379 --> 00:00:46.219 We have, as we've looked in Ecclesiastes and the first part of it, we have seen that he starts a sermon and he begins it, 00:00:46.219 --> 00:00:51.519 Vanity of vanities, vanity of vanities, all is vanity. 00:00:51.700 --> 00:00:57.320 What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? 00:00:58.340 --> 00:01:03.099 And then in the rest of it, he gives us kind of the body of his sermon as his personal experience, 00:01:03.320 --> 00:01:06.980 his biography and his search to find gain. 00:01:06.980 --> 00:01:15.240 As a man, presumably Solomon, had all of the resources at his fingertips that he possibly needed to do this. 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:20.880 And he starts out his story in chapter 2 with a number of self-indulgent pleasures. 00:01:22.260 --> 00:01:24.920 And he chases them out to their very end. 00:01:24.980 --> 00:01:29.560 And I think that's important for us to recognize that none of us really have the capacity, 00:01:29.560 --> 00:01:38.040 the resources to chase out every possible thing that we could potentially find joy in under the sun to its very end. 00:01:38.120 --> 00:01:41.540 But the preacher does. At least he sure seems to. 00:01:42.620 --> 00:01:47.900 And after all of this chasing, all of these experiments in gain, 00:01:48.400 --> 00:01:54.020 as he's looking for this ultimate value, he finds nothing of note. 00:01:54.019 --> 00:02:00.099 Remember the conclusion of the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 12, verse 13. 00:02:00.859 --> 00:02:02.199 The end of the matter. 00:02:02.939 --> 00:02:06.659 All has been heard. I've searched it all out and recorded it for you. 00:02:07.199 --> 00:02:14.039 Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 00:02:15.300 --> 00:02:18.620 And so in the past weeks, we've looked at chapter 2, verses 1 through 11. 00:02:18.620 --> 00:02:28.980 We're going to continue to do so today and select out these particular potential gains and his search in them. 00:02:29.060 --> 00:02:33.700 So follow with me, if you will, as I read to you verses 1 through 11 of chapter 2. 00:02:34.659 --> 00:02:40.080 I said in my heart, come now, I will test you with pleasure. 00:02:40.680 --> 00:02:41.560 Enjoy yourself. 00:02:42.300 --> 00:02:44.599 But behold, this also was vanity. 00:02:44.599 --> 00:02:49.979 I said of laughter, it is mad, and of pleasure, what use is it? 00:02:50.659 --> 00:02:54.719 I searched my heart to know how to cheer my body with wine, 00:02:55.000 --> 00:02:57.060 my heart still guiding me with wisdom, 00:02:57.280 --> 00:03:02.699 and how to lay hold on folly till I might see what was good for the children of man to do 00:03:02.699 --> 00:03:06.280 under heaven during the few days of their life. 00:03:07.159 --> 00:03:08.400 I made great works. 00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:11.379 I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 00:03:11.379 --> 00:03:15.819 I made myself gardens and parks and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. 00:03:16.019 --> 00:03:20.259 I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. 00:03:20.740 --> 00:03:25.680 I bought male and female slaves and had slaves who were born in my house. 00:03:26.180 --> 00:03:29.620 I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, 00:03:29.659 --> 00:03:32.659 more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. 00:03:33.460 --> 00:03:38.599 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. 00:03:38.599 --> 00:03:45.560 I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man. 00:03:46.359 --> 00:03:50.099 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. 00:03:50.719 --> 00:03:52.859 Also, my wisdom remained with me. 00:03:53.500 --> 00:03:56.819 And whatever my eyes desired, I did not keep from them. 00:03:57.280 --> 00:03:59.479 I kept my heart from no pleasure, 00:03:59.959 --> 00:04:01.959 for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, 00:04:02.079 --> 00:04:04.319 and this was my reward for all my toil. 00:04:04.319 --> 00:04:08.280 Then I considered all that my hands had done, 00:04:08.479 --> 00:04:11.019 and the toil I had expended in doing it, 00:04:11.099 --> 00:04:16.259 and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, 00:04:16.420 --> 00:04:20.199 and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. 00:04:21.319 --> 00:04:23.079 This is God's Word to us. 00:04:24.180 --> 00:04:27.560 It was written for His glory and our good. 00:04:27.560 --> 00:04:34.519 And we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands. 00:04:35.439 --> 00:04:42.060 And this morning, I want to draw your attention in to verses 4 through the first half of 8 00:04:42.060 --> 00:04:46.519 and talk about the vanity of wealth. 00:04:48.120 --> 00:04:53.579 And this is not a thing that's talked about very often in churches these days. 00:04:53.579 --> 00:04:56.339 And we could muse at the reasons why. 00:04:56.740 --> 00:05:01.979 We could survey all of the pastors in America and ask that question, 00:05:02.120 --> 00:05:06.379 why do we not talk more about money in our churches? 00:05:06.639 --> 00:05:12.159 We could guess that we are afraid to offend those who give well. 00:05:13.139 --> 00:05:16.699 We could guess that many of us see it as a necessary evil, 00:05:16.860 --> 00:05:22.139 that we don't really like talking about it because we know it's a thing that can be so deceptive. 00:05:22.139 --> 00:05:26.319 But I would venture to say to you that the reason that it's not talked about more 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:29.959 is because it's a great idol in our churches. 00:05:30.399 --> 00:05:32.819 And I'm not excluding ours from that. 00:05:33.060 --> 00:05:36.860 And you don't mess with people's idols because they'll get angry at you. 00:05:38.279 --> 00:05:42.939 And this morning, I just want you to know that I don't care because I love you. 00:05:43.539 --> 00:05:46.240 If you want to get really mad at me, I will simply say, 00:05:46.419 --> 00:05:48.979 you are offended by God's Word. 00:05:49.419 --> 00:05:50.639 And I'll step out of the way. 00:05:50.639 --> 00:05:52.479 I love you. 00:05:52.879 --> 00:05:55.919 And I want what's best for you. 00:05:56.240 --> 00:05:57.579 I echo with Paul. 00:05:57.800 --> 00:05:59.060 It's not you that I seek. 00:05:59.139 --> 00:06:00.539 It's not what you have that I seek. 00:06:00.699 --> 00:06:01.139 Excuse me. 00:06:01.560 --> 00:06:03.199 It's not what's yours, but you. 00:06:03.719 --> 00:06:05.740 I want what's best for you. 00:06:06.479 --> 00:06:10.740 And I know our audience, it's mixed, but it's primarily young people. 00:06:11.019 --> 00:06:13.339 And some of you may have already checked out because you said, 00:06:13.419 --> 00:06:14.680 I don't have money. 00:06:14.680 --> 00:06:20.120 But you do. 00:06:21.459 --> 00:06:24.500 As college students, you're among some of the wealthiest in the world. 00:06:25.259 --> 00:06:28.060 You have more than you really understand. 00:06:28.819 --> 00:06:32.759 And someday, and I hope someday soon, you're going to finish college. 00:06:32.960 --> 00:06:36.480 And you're going to go on to a career of some sort. 00:06:36.480 --> 00:06:39.580 And you'll begin to receive a paycheck. 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:46.740 And you need to understand how it is that we're meant to handle the wealth that we have. 00:06:47.660 --> 00:06:49.319 A note beginning in verse 4. 00:06:49.480 --> 00:06:53.200 And we're going to talk in future weeks a bit about toil and work. 00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:56.660 But I just want to say these beginning things that he mentioned starting in verse 4. 00:06:56.660 --> 00:07:02.320 The great works, the houses, the vineyards, the gardens, the parks, the pools to water the trees. 00:07:02.520 --> 00:07:05.800 All of those things are a work that he did, but they took money. 00:07:06.439 --> 00:07:09.800 Those of us with yards know how expensive it is to keep up a yard. 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:11.860 I just, it's beyond me. 00:07:12.280 --> 00:07:14.560 Why does mulch cost so much? 00:07:16.540 --> 00:07:18.460 He buys slaves, right? 00:07:18.520 --> 00:07:21.320 He has slaves in his home to do work for him. 00:07:21.400 --> 00:07:24.840 This was a matter of status, but it also took money. 00:07:24.839 --> 00:07:31.639 He had great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before him. 00:07:32.319 --> 00:07:41.759 He gathered silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces, which means he had massive, massive wealth. 00:07:43.539 --> 00:07:44.299 Verse 10 says, 00:07:44.419 --> 00:07:50.120 Whatever my eyes desired, I did not keep from them. 00:07:50.120 --> 00:07:57.639 And the preacher tells us in Ecclesiastes that wealth has no real value in this life. 00:07:58.079 --> 00:07:59.720 That it is not ultimate gain. 00:07:59.939 --> 00:08:01.220 That it is vanity. 00:08:01.579 --> 00:08:03.199 Chasing after the wind. 00:08:03.819 --> 00:08:04.579 Meaningless. 00:08:06.379 --> 00:08:10.780 Why do so many of us who profess faith in Christ, 00:08:10.959 --> 00:08:13.560 who say we have the greatest treasure, 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:18.579 still spend so much of our time chasing wind. 00:08:20.439 --> 00:08:25.759 Elsewhere in Ecclesiastes, the preacher tells us that money cannot satisfy our hearts. 00:08:25.840 --> 00:08:27.259 Chapter 5, verse 10. 00:08:27.680 --> 00:08:28.100 He says, 00:08:28.459 --> 00:08:32.299 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, 00:08:32.519 --> 00:08:35.399 nor he who loves wealth with his income. 00:08:35.679 --> 00:08:39.960 This also is vanity or meaningless. 00:08:39.960 --> 00:08:47.100 We need to pay very careful attention to the message of the preacher this morning. 00:08:48.100 --> 00:08:53.620 Because our culture is telling us that the very opposite is true. 00:08:54.540 --> 00:08:57.100 It whispers from all sides. 00:08:57.300 --> 00:08:59.940 In social media and in advertisements. 00:09:00.360 --> 00:09:02.340 In the posturing of our peers. 00:09:02.620 --> 00:09:05.900 On television and in movies and on the radio. 00:09:05.899 --> 00:09:10.039 If you only have this, you'll be happy. 00:09:11.019 --> 00:09:12.740 Look at the way she dresses. 00:09:12.899 --> 00:09:15.279 She is so put together. 00:09:16.120 --> 00:09:18.340 That would make you complete. 00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:23.759 People would think you're successful if you drove that car. 00:09:24.439 --> 00:09:27.740 Your house is who you are. 00:09:28.539 --> 00:09:30.519 Your capacity for leisure. 00:09:31.159 --> 00:09:34.360 How many vacations you get to go on this summer and post on Facebook. 00:09:34.360 --> 00:09:35.940 Facebook defines you. 00:09:37.379 --> 00:09:41.480 The sound of this constant whispering rises. 00:09:41.960 --> 00:09:43.560 From something really subtle. 00:09:43.860 --> 00:09:46.000 Into a cacophony of lies. 00:09:46.500 --> 00:09:47.759 And beloved, we buy them. 00:09:48.519 --> 00:09:50.100 We eat them up. 00:09:50.440 --> 00:09:52.680 And when we do, they steal our satisfaction. 00:09:53.220 --> 00:09:54.220 And our joy. 00:09:55.220 --> 00:09:57.700 We need to stop listening to the culture. 00:09:58.700 --> 00:10:01.639 And we need to start listening to the word of God. 00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:04.120 God loves us. 00:10:04.679 --> 00:10:07.220 And He wants what's best for us. 00:10:07.559 --> 00:10:11.199 And therefore, He instructs us in the ways we should walk. 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:16.319 We've had some difficult discipline in our house over the last couple of days. 00:10:16.439 --> 00:10:21.319 Those heart-wrenching moments for me where I really would just rather not get involved. 00:10:21.580 --> 00:10:27.860 It would be really nice just to ignore altogether and pass over the disobedience that's happening in our house. 00:10:27.860 --> 00:10:31.279 But because I love my children. 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:33.300 I bring them discipline. 00:10:33.419 --> 00:10:34.480 I bring them instruction. 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:39.639 Because I want them to walk in the ways that are best for them. 00:10:40.200 --> 00:10:43.680 And our Heavenly Father does the same for us. 00:10:44.460 --> 00:10:47.879 We need to listen to the words of the preacher this morning. 00:10:48.180 --> 00:10:49.840 Vanity of vanities. 00:10:50.500 --> 00:10:51.700 Vanity of vanities. 00:10:51.879 --> 00:10:53.720 All is vanity. 00:10:53.720 --> 00:10:59.920 The amassing of stuff is of no gain under the sun. 00:11:01.019 --> 00:11:03.899 Beloved, our life is but a vapor. 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:09.639 We are merely passing through and we ought not invest in the now. 00:11:10.620 --> 00:11:12.300 I'm not speaking against investment. 00:11:12.540 --> 00:11:16.100 I'm speaking about investing in joy and satisfaction in the now. 00:11:16.160 --> 00:11:18.580 But we should rather invest in eternity. 00:11:19.420 --> 00:11:20.700 You can't take anything with you. 00:11:21.259 --> 00:11:21.700 Can you? 00:11:21.700 --> 00:11:25.460 I mentioned to Wes what the sermon was about today. 00:11:27.580 --> 00:11:31.100 The preacher says in chapter 5, verse 15 of Ecclesiastes, 00:11:31.900 --> 00:11:37.320 As he came from his mother's womb, he shall go again, naked as he came, 00:11:37.460 --> 00:11:41.940 and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. 00:11:42.680 --> 00:11:45.540 None of it will have any eternal value. 00:11:45.539 --> 00:11:53.439 Those things that you invest in here, those earthly things that you invest in here, have zero eternal value. 00:11:54.839 --> 00:11:56.439 So how do we handle our money? 00:11:57.740 --> 00:12:00.379 Money is intrinsically woven into our lives. 00:12:01.059 --> 00:12:04.419 Almost everything we do requires it. 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:08.959 Few things that don't have some component of money involved. 00:12:08.960 --> 00:12:11.879 It takes gas money to go see family members. 00:12:12.060 --> 00:12:16.379 There's money tied up into almost everything that we do. 00:12:17.620 --> 00:12:20.759 I'm not going to suggest to you today that we should all cease to deal with it. 00:12:21.180 --> 00:12:27.379 That we should all become monastic or move to some kind of philanthropic bartering system. 00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:29.540 Money is necessary. 00:12:29.539 --> 00:12:33.620 But as Christian people, we need to learn how to handle it appropriately. 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:38.159 Whether we have little or whether we have much. 00:12:39.439 --> 00:12:44.259 I suppose that money is woven into everything. 00:12:44.819 --> 00:12:51.899 And because there's such a danger in it is why Jesus spoke about it so much. 00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:54.439 15%. 00:12:54.439 --> 00:12:56.299 I didn't do the math on that. 00:12:56.299 --> 00:12:58.980 So check me if you'd like. 00:13:00.099 --> 00:13:03.099 15% of Jesus' recorded teaching was on this matter. 00:13:04.259 --> 00:13:10.599 I know for sure that it is the one topic he talked about more than anything else. 00:13:11.199 --> 00:13:14.019 Jesus talked about money more than heaven and hell. 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:15.939 Interesting. 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:17.480 Why? 00:13:18.699 --> 00:13:19.860 Because it's dangerous. 00:13:20.740 --> 00:13:22.659 And because we need to handle it rightly. 00:13:23.519 --> 00:13:24.519 So turn with me. 00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:26.759 Step away with me, if you will, from Ecclesiastes. 00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:29.759 To the Gospel of Matthew 6. 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:41.080 Remember that the preacher has said, the end of the matter. 00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:41.819 All has been heard. 00:13:41.980 --> 00:13:44.319 Fear God and keep His commandments. 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:46.639 For this is the whole duty of man. 00:13:46.639 --> 00:13:50.319 And there's a temptation on my part to run you all over the Old Testament. 00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:56.879 Run you all over the commandments of God to see how you can rightly handle your money. 00:13:57.100 --> 00:13:59.159 And I think that there's a place and there's a time for that. 00:13:59.220 --> 00:14:02.100 But this morning, I really want to talk to your heart. 00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:06.320 So Matthew 6, verse 19-21. 00:14:06.480 --> 00:14:07.180 Jesus says, 00:14:07.379 --> 00:14:16.399 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:32.559 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 00:14:33.179 --> 00:14:41.720 Jesus gives to us in this text one exhortation with negative and positive statements. 00:14:41.799 --> 00:14:43.559 So He says it in two different ways. 00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:48.839 Firstly, we are commanded, and don't miss that, the imperative of the language, 00:14:48.959 --> 00:14:53.139 we are commanded not to invest in this life. 00:14:53.699 --> 00:14:55.939 Our loving Father says to His children, 00:14:56.599 --> 00:15:02.239 Do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth. 00:15:02.959 --> 00:15:03.679 Why? 00:15:04.459 --> 00:15:06.139 Because stuff is temporal. 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:08.219 It is not lasting. 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:10.740 It goes on to say, verse 19, 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:14.279 Where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:17.540 The things that we can have and we can hold here are fleeting. 00:15:17.779 --> 00:15:18.940 They're passing by. 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:21.700 It's pointless to invest in them. 00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:28.300 We are in the positive commanded to invest in eternity. 00:15:28.299 --> 00:15:32.259 A loving Father graciously says to His children, 00:15:33.059 --> 00:15:38.079 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:39.339 It's not optional. 00:15:39.479 --> 00:15:42.079 This is a command being given to the children of God. 00:15:42.459 --> 00:15:45.439 Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. 00:15:45.659 --> 00:15:46.319 I love you. 00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:47.479 I want what's good for you. 00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:48.779 I want what's best for you. 00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:50.500 Invest in this way. 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:51.259 Why? 00:15:52.440 --> 00:15:55.980 Because eternal treasure is eternal. 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:58.100 It will last forever. 00:15:58.759 --> 00:16:02.440 We get to enjoy the treasure stored in heaven forever. 00:16:04.059 --> 00:16:04.419 Verse 20, 00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:10.879 Where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 00:16:11.700 --> 00:16:15.360 It makes sense to invest eternally. 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:18.860 Those of us who have been enlightened by God, 00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:21.800 who have been made aware of the created order, 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:24.480 who He is and what comes after. 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:27.600 It makes sense that we would invest in that. 00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:32.060 Now, I'm with you in not being able to fathom what forever looks like. 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:35.360 But on and on and on. 00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:41.860 This morning's book's attempt was to say day after day after day after day after day. 00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:46.440 It makes sense to invest in that way. 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:50.720 It has great benefit to us in eternity. 00:16:51.780 --> 00:16:56.820 Don't be like the man in the parable Jesus tells in Luke chapter 12. 00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:58.160 You'll appreciate going there. 00:16:58.260 --> 00:17:00.120 Luke 12 verse 13. 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:10.880 Luke 12 verse 14. 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:12.980 Someone in the crowd said to him, 00:17:13.460 --> 00:17:18.299 Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me. 00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:21.160 This man wanted his now. 00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:23.240 But he said to him, 00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:26.119 Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you? 00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:27.899 And he said to them, 00:17:28.859 --> 00:17:34.159 Take care and be on your guard against all covetousness, 00:17:34.459 --> 00:17:36.500 wanting for yourself. 00:17:36.679 --> 00:17:42.859 For one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:45.119 So there's the negative statement. 00:17:45.399 --> 00:17:50.059 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth. 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:53.399 So then he tells him a parable to make the point. 00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:54.379 Verse 16. 00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:55.819 He told him a parable saying, 00:17:56.899 --> 00:18:00.539 The land of a rich man produced plentifully. 00:18:01.539 --> 00:18:02.599 And he thought to himself, 00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:03.960 What shall I do? 00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:06.960 For I have nowhere to store my crops. 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:08.259 And he said, 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:09.139 I will do this. 00:18:09.679 --> 00:18:12.700 I will tear down my barns and build larger ones. 00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:16.940 And there I will store all my grain and my goods. 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:18.440 And I will say to my soul, 00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:22.799 Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years. 00:18:22.920 --> 00:18:26.819 Relax, eat, drink, be merry. 00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:29.059 But God said to him, 00:18:29.840 --> 00:18:34.000 Fool, this night your soul is required of you. 00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:35.660 And the things you have prepared, 00:18:35.880 --> 00:18:37.140 Whose will they be? 00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:46.440 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself in the now and is not rich toward God. 00:18:47.100 --> 00:18:54.900 The fool is the one who spends his money on himself rather than spending his money in a Godward direction. 00:18:55.140 --> 00:19:00.480 Spending his money on the kingdom and God's advance of it. 00:19:01.180 --> 00:19:03.800 A very famous quote from a very famous man, 00:19:04.560 --> 00:19:05.780 the late missionary Jim Elliott. 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:06.160 He said, 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:14.440 He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. 00:19:15.599 --> 00:19:16.460 And to state that differently, 00:19:16.579 --> 00:19:19.639 the person who hangs on to what he cannot keep, 00:19:20.059 --> 00:19:25.579 who white knuckles the stuff of this world in lieu of eternal reward, 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:26.799 is a fool. 00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:33.399 We are too often foolish. 00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:39.400 Investing in eternity makes sense in eternity. 00:19:40.100 --> 00:19:45.060 But it also is of great benefit for today. 00:19:45.860 --> 00:19:49.120 Look at verse 21, Matthew chapter 6. 00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:51.480 I'm sorry I got you away from there to rip you back into it. 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:54.900 For where your treasure is, 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:59.059 there your heart will be also. 00:19:59.059 --> 00:20:10.179 I've had many, many, many people argue against what I believe the Scripture is clearly teaching on the way we should handle our money. 00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:17.299 It's okay that I can have my things just as long as I don't worship my things. 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:24.259 It's okay that I have all of this for myself just as long as I don't worship those things. 00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:27.100 But I want you to catch what Jesus is saying here in verse 21. 00:20:27.099 --> 00:20:34.339 Jesus is saying, put your money where you want your heart to be. 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:40.139 He is suggesting that the one will follow the other. 00:20:41.019 --> 00:20:42.839 Put your money out there. 00:20:43.299 --> 00:20:47.279 Invest in the kingdom because that's where we want our hearts to be. 00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:50.899 We know that that's what's best for us. 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:57.259 Don't wait until you feel like investing into the eternal things. 00:20:57.379 --> 00:21:01.039 Invest in the eternal things and your heart will go to that place. 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:04.579 1 Timothy 6, verse 17. 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:08.359 Oh, I hate Scripture taken out of context. 00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:12.399 And this one is so destroyed in this way. 00:21:12.399 --> 00:21:14.019 1 Timothy 6, verse 17. 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:17.200 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty. 00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:24.259 Nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:25.859 Have you heard that phrase before from somebody? 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:31.619 As long as I don't worship these things, I don't set my hope in riches. 00:21:32.639 --> 00:21:33.639 They stop. 00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:35.940 They stop at the end of verse 17. 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:36.619 How dare they? 00:21:37.639 --> 00:21:38.399 Verse 18. 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:40.000 What are they to do? 00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:45.619 Instead of setting their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but rather setting it on God, 00:21:45.619 --> 00:21:47.919 then there's some evidencing of that hope. 00:21:48.599 --> 00:21:50.259 They are to do good. 00:21:52.419 --> 00:21:54.019 Paul's brilliant play with words. 00:21:54.119 --> 00:21:57.500 They're to be rich in good works. 00:21:58.639 --> 00:22:01.939 They're to be generous and ready to share. 00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:06.219 Which has the implication of both sharing and being ready to share. 00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:07.259 You catch that? 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:08.660 So it's not just being ready to share. 00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:11.200 It's sharing and being ready to share. 00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:12.319 Verse 19. 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:19.500 Thus, storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future. 00:22:20.539 --> 00:22:23.920 So there's the one implication, the eternal investment of this. 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:31.220 So that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 00:22:32.380 --> 00:22:36.560 So that they might enjoy the very reason that God gave them the riches. 00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:40.039 And that is that they may gain more of Him. 00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:42.660 They may take hold of that which is truly life. 00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:45.539 Living as a child of God in the kingdom of God. 00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:48.420 That they may gain Him. 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:51.420 And it's tragic to me that so many of us have so much. 00:22:51.659 --> 00:22:57.460 And we hold on to these little paltry things that mean nothing when we could have more of Christ. 00:22:59.619 --> 00:23:02.039 Would you freely give it away to have Him? 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:05.000 Beloved, we have been saved by grace. 00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:09.259 We have God's riches at Christ's expense. 00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:12.480 Christ bore the curse in our stead. 00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:15.539 And He secured for us an eternal reward. 00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:20.059 Which is far grander than anything this world can afford us. 00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:25.440 If you have not experienced the goodness of God to you in Christ. 00:23:25.859 --> 00:23:28.140 Then none of this is going to make any sense to you. 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:30.379 Eat, drink and be merry. 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:34.240 Repent and believe that you may gain Christ. 00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:38.579 If you have experienced the goodness of God to you in Christ. 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:41.859 Maybe you just need to be reminded of that goodness. 00:23:42.839 --> 00:23:45.980 Maybe it's grown cold in your heart. 00:23:46.599 --> 00:23:52.799 Maybe you have forgotten how precious a treasure Christ truly is. 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:57.619 Psalm 34, 8-10 says, 00:23:57.619 --> 00:24:03.119 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. 00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:07.379 Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. 00:24:07.380 --> 00:24:10.700 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints. 00:24:10.780 --> 00:24:14.440 For those who fear Him have no lack. 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:18.280 The young lions suffer want and hunger. 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:23.920 But those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 00:24:24.880 --> 00:24:26.320 Get the imagery here. 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:30.880 The young lions are the ones that have to take their turn to eat. 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:33.800 It's the older lions that dominate the pack. 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:36.220 And they get to eat their fill when there's a kill. 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:39.500 The young lions have to wait on the periphery. 00:24:39.639 --> 00:24:41.440 And they get the leftovers and the scraps. 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:44.720 The young lions are never fully satisfied. 00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:50.399 But those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:53.399 One of my very favorite psalms, 00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:55.139 which I want to invite you to turn to with me. 00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:57.000 And I promise not to put you back into Matthew. 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:58.820 Psalm 73. 00:25:03.120 --> 00:25:04.700 This is a psalm of Asaph, 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:06.880 who was one of David's singers. 00:25:08.300 --> 00:25:09.940 Pinned quite a few of the psalms. 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:16.840 And this is a sort of confession for him. 00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:19.640 And I relate to this so often. 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:21.520 Even in my day to day. 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:24.920 As I look out and I observe the world. 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:26.059 And I just want you to read through. 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:27.579 We're going to read the entire psalm together. 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:29.579 And I want to stop and make some comments to you. 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:33.980 About his testimony concerning the goodness of God. 00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:35.920 He says, 00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:38.819 Truly, God is good to Israel. 00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:42.160 To those who are pure in heart. 00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:45.619 He starts with that very emphatic statement. 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:48.119 An echo of Psalm 34.10. 00:25:48.119 --> 00:25:51.479 Those who think the Lord lack no good thing. 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:54.339 Truly, God is good. 00:25:54.739 --> 00:25:55.179 Verse 2. 00:25:55.239 --> 00:25:56.219 But as for me, 00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:59.319 my feet had almost stumbled. 00:25:59.439 --> 00:26:02.399 My steps had nearly slipped. 00:26:03.079 --> 00:26:06.179 He stopped believing that great truth. 00:26:06.439 --> 00:26:08.779 That God is good to His. 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:11.559 For I was envious of the arrogant 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:15.099 when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:18.279 For they have no pangs until death. 00:26:18.659 --> 00:26:21.259 Their bodies are fat and sleek. 00:26:21.719 --> 00:26:22.299 In this day, 00:26:22.859 --> 00:26:24.980 to be fat meant you had time for leisure. 00:26:25.219 --> 00:26:26.599 You had time for laying around and eating 00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:27.859 rather than working hard. 00:26:28.119 --> 00:26:28.240 Right? 00:26:28.419 --> 00:26:30.859 So replace for that tan and fit. 00:26:31.699 --> 00:26:33.059 In that place. 00:26:34.639 --> 00:26:35.519 Verse 5. 00:26:36.219 --> 00:26:38.779 They are not in trouble as others are. 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:41.539 They are not stricken like the rest of mankind. 00:26:41.539 --> 00:26:44.539 Therefore, pride is their necklace. 00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:46.920 Violence covers them as a garment. 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:50.099 Their eyes swell out through fatness. 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:52.779 Their hearts overflow with follies. 00:26:53.159 --> 00:26:55.200 They scoff and speak with malice. 00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:57.159 Loftily they threaten oppression. 00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:59.559 They set their mouths against the heavens 00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:02.200 and their tongue struts through the earth. 00:27:02.859 --> 00:27:05.440 Therefore, His people turn back to them 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:07.960 and find no fault in them. 00:27:08.139 --> 00:27:08.859 And they say, 00:27:08.859 --> 00:27:10.119 How can God know? 00:27:10.439 --> 00:27:12.000 Is there knowledge in the Most High? 00:27:12.719 --> 00:27:14.419 Behold, these are the wicked. 00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:17.439 Always at ease, they increase in riches. 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.299 So catch what he's doing. 00:27:18.379 --> 00:27:21.039 He's observing the way that these people live. 00:27:21.459 --> 00:27:21.919 But he's saying, 00:27:21.979 --> 00:27:22.699 But wait a minute. 00:27:23.339 --> 00:27:25.319 They clearly oppose God. 00:27:25.419 --> 00:27:26.000 And yet, 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:28.839 they're so wealthy here. 00:27:29.179 --> 00:27:31.319 They seem to have so little trouble. 00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:33.339 And so much joy. 00:27:33.899 --> 00:27:34.000 Right? 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:35.900 So much so that the people of God 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:37.720 find no fault in what they're doing. 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:41.000 The people of God are being deceived by them. 00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:41.559 Right? 00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:43.119 How can God know? 00:27:43.579 --> 00:27:45.880 The people of God have ceased to listen to the Word of God 00:27:45.880 --> 00:27:48.960 and rather are listening to the culture around them. 00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:50.539 He goes on to say, 00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:51.299 verse 13, 00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:54.339 All in vain have I kept my heart clean 00:27:54.339 --> 00:27:56.839 and washed my hands in innocence. 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:58.480 For all the day long, 00:27:58.539 --> 00:28:01.220 I have been stricken and rebuked every morning. 00:28:01.659 --> 00:28:02.500 If I had said, 00:28:02.879 --> 00:28:03.879 I will speak thus, 00:28:04.119 --> 00:28:07.379 I would have betrayed the generation of your children. 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:07.879 Right? 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:10.319 So here's this emotion going on in him. 00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:11.460 He's actually beginning to think, 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:13.279 maybe I shouldn't follow the ways of God. 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.799 Maybe it'd be better for me 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:17.799 if I would follow the ways of the world. 00:28:18.139 --> 00:28:19.240 But then he says in verse 15, 00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:20.660 if I were to say that out loud, 00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:21.160 right? 00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:22.599 This thing that I'm feeling, 00:28:22.640 --> 00:28:24.380 if I were to actually vocalize that, 00:28:24.599 --> 00:28:26.700 I would have betrayed your children. 00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:28.660 Verse 16, 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:31.880 But when I thought how to understand this, 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:35.480 it seemed to me a wearisome task 00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:36.759 until, 00:28:37.900 --> 00:28:38.940 catch this, 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:41.640 I kind of hear in verse 16, 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:43.900 the preacher in Ecclesiastes, 00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:45.319 the labor, 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:47.079 the toil of trying to figure out 00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:48.420 what is good under the sun 00:28:48.420 --> 00:28:48.980 until, 00:28:49.160 --> 00:28:49.779 verse 17, 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:53.800 I went into the sanctuary of God. 00:28:54.900 --> 00:28:56.880 Then I discerned their end. 00:28:58.000 --> 00:29:00.160 Truly you set them in slippery places. 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:02.039 You make them fall to ruin. 00:29:02.580 --> 00:29:04.460 How they are destroyed in a moment, 00:29:04.640 --> 00:29:06.800 swept away utterly by terrors. 00:29:07.060 --> 00:29:08.420 Like a dream in one awakes, 00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:08.860 O Lord, 00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:10.140 when you rouse yourself, 00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:13.220 you despise them as phantoms. 00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:16.340 So he sees that the end of things, 00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:16.700 right? 00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:18.160 They've got what they want now, 00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:19.100 but the end of things, 00:29:19.160 --> 00:29:20.000 at the end of their life, 00:29:20.140 --> 00:29:22.080 they will be destroyed. 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:22.740 Verse 21, 00:29:22.880 --> 00:29:24.319 When my soul was embittered, 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:26.620 when I was pricked in heart, 00:29:27.100 --> 00:29:29.779 I was brutish and ignorant. 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:32.500 I was like a beast toward you. 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:35.879 How dare I think in this way? 00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:37.500 Nevertheless, 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:40.200 I am continually with you. 00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:42.700 You hold my right hand. 00:29:43.160 --> 00:29:44.680 You guide me with your counsel. 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:45.879 And afterward, 00:29:46.399 --> 00:29:48.279 you will receive me to glory. 00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:48.960 Praise God. 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:51.700 Whom have I in heaven but you? 00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:53.819 And there is nothing on earth 00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:56.480 that I desire besides you. 00:29:57.140 --> 00:29:59.019 My flesh and my heart may fail, 00:29:59.420 --> 00:30:01.819 but God is the strength of my heart 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:04.400 and my portion forever. 00:30:04.620 --> 00:30:07.880 My full satisfaction forever. 00:30:08.819 --> 00:30:09.420 For behold, 00:30:09.940 --> 00:30:12.319 those who are far from you shall perish. 00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:13.980 You put an end to everyone 00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:15.319 who is unfaithful to you, 00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:18.779 but for me it is good to be near God. 00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:21.299 I have made the Lord God my refuge 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:24.720 that I may tell of all your works. 00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:27.160 So this great satisfaction 00:30:27.160 --> 00:30:28.380 that he finds in the Lord 00:30:28.380 --> 00:30:30.920 is turned out to the telling 00:30:30.920 --> 00:30:33.480 of his great satisfaction in the Lord 00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:36.000 and all that he has done for Him. 00:30:37.339 --> 00:30:38.900 Beloved, this should be the testimony 00:30:38.900 --> 00:30:40.660 of our lives as well. 00:30:41.299 --> 00:30:43.299 Recognizing the goodness of God. 00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:44.920 We should be like the man 00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:47.120 that Jesus talks about in Matthew 13, 44 00:30:47.120 --> 00:30:49.900 who goes and finds a treasure 00:30:49.900 --> 00:30:50.920 hidden in a field. 00:30:51.539 --> 00:30:52.339 Jesus says this is what 00:30:52.339 --> 00:30:53.700 the kingdom of heaven is like. 00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:56.380 A treasure hidden in a field 00:30:56.380 --> 00:30:58.640 which a man found and he covered up. 00:30:58.840 --> 00:31:00.360 So he's cutting across a field 00:31:00.360 --> 00:31:01.740 which was customary in this day 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:03.259 and he trips over a treasure. 00:31:03.759 --> 00:31:05.700 He finds something of massive value 00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:07.360 and so he hides it. 00:31:08.860 --> 00:31:10.580 And then he goes in joy. 00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:12.220 It says then in this joy 00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:15.160 he goes and sells all that he has 00:31:15.160 --> 00:31:16.900 and he buys that field 00:31:16.900 --> 00:31:19.120 for this greater thing 00:31:19.120 --> 00:31:20.799 that he finds in this field. 00:31:20.799 --> 00:31:23.119 He's willing to give up everything else 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:24.799 in his joy for the treasure 00:31:24.799 --> 00:31:26.279 that's in that field 00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:28.980 that he may possess it as his own. 00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:32.940 Beloved, this is Christ. 00:31:33.799 --> 00:31:36.259 The one who brings the kingdom of heaven 00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:37.159 to earth. 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:40.220 The one who will one day return 00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:43.740 and fully bring it to pass. 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:46.960 Where your treasure is, 00:31:48.120 --> 00:31:50.460 there your heart will be also. 00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:55.799 Give to the work of God. 00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:58.400 Give abundantly. 00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:01.039 Give sacrificially. 00:32:02.079 --> 00:32:04.740 Give in a way that loosens your grip 00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:06.059 on the things of this world. 00:32:06.620 --> 00:32:07.940 Give in a way that has you 00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:09.920 gripped tightly to Christ. 00:32:09.920 --> 00:32:12.519 in a way that leaves no room 00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:15.500 for anything else in that grasp. 00:32:17.120 --> 00:32:18.440 And we'll speak more of giving 00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:19.640 next Lord's Day. 00:32:21.700 --> 00:32:24.000 Give to the work of God 00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:25.519 here and beyond. 00:32:27.100 --> 00:32:29.620 Listen to the words of the preacher. 00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:32.420 Vanity of vanities. 00:32:33.380 --> 00:32:34.580 Vanity of vanities. 00:32:34.820 --> 00:32:36.759 All is vanity. 00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:38.920 The end of the matter. 00:32:40.000 --> 00:32:41.079 All has been heard. 00:32:42.220 --> 00:32:42.900 Fear God. 00:32:43.839 --> 00:32:44.940 And keep his commandments. 00:32:45.879 --> 00:32:46.539 Let's pray together.