SEMESTER 6
282 – Your Faith and Your Earthly Needs
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: SOTERIOLOGY VI LESSON # 82
SERMON ON THE MOUNT
YOUR FAITH AND YOUR EARTHLY NEEDS
Read: Mat. 6:19-23
INTRODUCTION:
1. Remember that Matthew 6:19-34 is a single area of teaching.
2. The previous two lessons dealt with your heart and your treasure, and your service and your earthly possessions.
3. These are not separate lessons, but relevant and complimentary ones.
4. This lesson deals with your faith and your earthly needs.
5. The greatest financial advice available anywhere is our Lord’s.
I. NOT DIRECTION AGAINST DUE CONCERN OR PREPARATION
1. Satan would love to have you think the Lord is saying something foolish.
2. He would like to have you think Jesus is commending the sluggard.
3. Christ practiced and taught proper concern and preparation for proper needs and functions.
i. For the Passover (Mat. 26:17-19)
ii. For the cross (Mat. 26:36-39)
iii. For payment of tribute money (Mat. 17:27)
iv. For future food (Joh. 6:12)
4. God’s word tells us we are to prepare for food by labor. (Gen. 3:19, Eph. 4:28, II Thes. 3:10)
5. Scripture teaches diligence, and demands it in this area as well as any other. (I Tim. 5:8)
II. IT IS DIRECTION AS TO RIGHT PRIORITIES (MAT. 6:33
)
1. Our first interest is to be the Kingdom of God, and the righteousness of God.
2. He does not imply that no earthly interest or profit may be sought.
III: How a good and faithful servant is to “gain by trading.”
3. There are some earthly responsibilities that Scripture forbids us to neglect.
4. But the proper order is always a spring of blessing and prosperity to us. (Pro. 3:9-10)
III. THE TEXT COMMANDS US TO TRUST GOD (MAT. 6:25-30)
1. He reminds us that the body is more than clothing, and life more than food.
III: How much of our worry is spent on less than life and the body, as if money would fill our need.
2. He clearly states you have needs, and God knows exactly what they are.
3. He clearly states that God is concerned about your needs.
4. God has displayed His providence over plants and animals of the simplest sort.
5. He says you are much more important than any of those things.
III: A great illustration of this is in Luke 12:6-7. (Hear on tape.)
6. These truths are not laid before us as mere points to consider for comfort.
7. They explain and support a COMMAND to trust God for our daily needs.
8. While it is comfort for you to do it, it is SIN for you to fail to do it.
IV. GOD HAS COMMITTED HIMSELF TO US IN THESE AREAS
1. Hear the Lord’s words to Peter, as opposed to the sorrowful young ruler. (Luke 18:28-30)
2. Now consider our text again: Seek ye … Will you commit yourself to live this way?