It was no different in the days of Christ. Christ confronted Materialism in Matthew 6:19-24 in which He exhorted His followers to store up our treasures in Heaven, not on earth. He also confronted the Religious leaders of His day in Luke 16 when Christ discussed the subject of stewardship and true riches. In verse 14, the Pharisees were described as being “covetous.” All of us must be careful not to fall in the same trap as the Pharisees of Christ’s day. How do we do that?

First, we must have the right viewpoint of what Christ said concerning two kinds of riches. In Matthew 6:19-20, Christ said “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” What was Christ saying in these two verses? Earthly riches lead to corruption and covetousness. Earthly riches lead to idol worship. Earthly riches never satisfy. Christ stated that as Believers in the finished work of Christ, we are to focus our priorities on Heavenly riches. What are those riches? There are the riches of eternal life, forgiveness of sin, a home in Heaven and sanctification. Heavenly riches lead to righteousness and eternal reward. Heavenly riches lead us to worship God the Father, Christ the Savior, and the Holy Spirit our Comforter. Heavenly riches last for eternity.

Secondly, we must have the right viewpoint of what Christ said concerning two kinds of hearts. In Matthew 6:21-23 Christ said, ^“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” First there is the good heart. The good heart is a heart that is focused on a citizenship in Heaven. (Philippians 3:20-21) A good heart is a heart that is seeks treasures that are in eternal. (2 Cor. 4:18) Secondly, there is the heart that is bad. (2 Cor. 4:4) What is a bad heart? A bad heart cannot focus on what is eternal. A bad heart is full of corruption. A bad heart is blind to that which is light.

Thirdly, we must have the right viewpoint of what Christ said concerning two masters. (Matthew 6:24) “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (ESV) You will either hate one and love the other or you will either cleave to one or despise the other.