Page 33 - The Prosperous Way _ (APRIL 2024 v3)

CAN YOU BE TOO RICH?

we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will
be content with that” (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
From these Scriptures, we can conclude that, if we can feed and clothe
ourselves (and although not explicitly mentioned, presumably if we can
provide shelter for ourselves as well) then we have reason to be content.
This Scripture calls us into a place of thankfulness, contentment and
peace that is not dependent on the abundance of our material wealth.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE

The second safeguard that we must put in place is to guard the focus of
our hearts. Perhaps the most famous of Jesus’ teachings on this issue is
found in His “Sermon on the Mount” recorded in Matthew 6:19-24.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth
and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store
up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do
not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For
where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
(Matthew 6:19-21)

Jesus is teaching us here that our hearts will automatically follow what
we invest our treasure in. Our treasure is whatever we value (our time,
our money, our abilities). When we invest our treasure in the things that
are important to God, these things will begin to captivate our hearts and
cause us to value heavenly rewards over earthly wealth.

Jesus then makes two other fascinating statements that tell us how to
keep our eyes on the [heavenly] prize:

“The eye is the lamp of the body; so, then if your eye is clear, your
whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole
body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is
darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two
masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he
will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve
God and wealth.” (Matthew 6:22-24)

We can learn two things from this passage. First, do not be double-
visioned. The word translated as “clear” in this passage is the Greek

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