Watch the Video: https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Content/Series/198062?episode=1
The session opened with an illustration. What stood out to you in the opening illustration? What did it make you feel? Would you respond the same way as the weary traveler? Why or why not?
In everyday life, we call the idea of giving up present pleasure for future satisfaction “delayed gratification.” Where do you see the idea of delayed gratification played out in your life? In the past, when given the choice between present or future rewards, which have you chosen? Why? How much of a role do you think personality plays in the ability to choose something future, rather than chase immediate satisfaction?
Randy likes to say, “We were made for a person and a place. Jesus is the person, heaven is the place and there are real treasures awaiting us in Jesus and awaiting us in heaven.” Ideally, how should the idea that we were made for eternity with Jesus, with real treasure, affect the way we live in the present? Why do you think we still struggle so much to live in light of eternity, even as believers?
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Matthew 6:19-24
What has Jesus’ statement meant in your personal life? How have you applied the admonishment
to store up treasure in heaven? What does that look like? If God genuinely wants you to store up treasures, how does that change the way you look at your pursuit of satisfaction? Is God against you, or for you? Why? What obstacles stand in your way when it comes to relocating your treasure to heaven? What do you stand to gain by switching your financial focus toward heaven, rather than toward earth?
Justin’s story highlights the value of the treasure principle: when we focus our resources (in Justin’s case, his money)
on eternal things, God can and will provide for the here-and-now. What often prevents us from trusting God with our
financial resources? Why?What would your life look like if you invested your finances in the future hope of eternity, rather than solely on the present? What would change?
