March 22, 2026

UNIT 1: The Sermon on the Mount

LESSON: 4

Study Text: Matthew 6:19-34

Central Truth: God is the only hope for all people.

KEY Verse--Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD (KJV).

Be strong and courageous, all you who put hope in the LORD (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

Whether they're worried about layoffs or trying to maximize their investments, many people are consumed with thoughts of money. If these thoughts turn into worries, some may even begin to doubt God's faithfulness. So it's important for every believer to understand God's perspective on this topic.

DISCUSSION STARTER--Living Your Financial Dreams

Imagine you had a billion dollars but could only spend it on one thing. What would you choose? It could be anything from paying off a debt to buying a private island. ___________.

We know from the Lord's Prayer that Jesus knows what it's like to have daily needs. But He didn't want His followers to be consumed by these needs, distracted from their mission and bound by fear. So in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus clearly laid out the risks of earthly riches and the benefits of focusing on eternal investments.

                                                  PART 1-Store Up Eternal Treasure

Spiritual Savings Account               Matthew 6:19-20

Matthew 6:19 could imply that Jesus' listeners were already storing up treasures only on earth. jesus was not condemning wise stewardship. Instead, He was focusing on the problem of greed and warning His listeners to fundamentally shift their perspectives on wealth and possessions. Instead of hoarding treasures on earth, He called them to store your treasures in heaven" (verse 20). Whether in the first century or the twenty-first, it's all too easy for people to be drawn into pursuing wealth to the hopes that they will feel more secure. But Jesus challenges us to think about where we're storing our treasures and placing our trust. Is earthly wealth our top priority? Or do we care more about eternal investments? When we give to advance the gospel, spend time discipling the next generation, or engage in some other Kingdom work, we can be sure our investments with not be susceptible to decay or loss. Instead, they will continue multiplying as the Kingdom expands.

? What are some earthly treasures that may be taking too much of your attention?

The Heart of the Matter         Matthew 6:21

Jesus got to the root of the issue. Greed--like every other sin--is a matter of the heart. Jesus had already used the heart metaphor earlier in His sermon (Matthew 5:8,28). Here in 6:21, He is making the point that people will be driven by whatever is at the center of their focus. Jesus called His disciples to evaluate their focus by evaluating their investments. Our priorities and values are revealed in how we spend our time, energy, and resources. It's impossible to separate our actions from the motivations of our hearts.

? Paul told the Colossians, "Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth" (3:1-2). What happens when a believer loses focus on eternal things? 

PART 2--Serve God Alone

Two Eyes          Matthew 6:22-23

In Matthew 6:22-23, Jesus compares a healthy eye to an unhealthy eye. One fills the entire body with light, He says, while the other fills the body with darkness. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, someone who coveted another person's possessions was described as having an "evil eye," while someone generous was described as having a "good eye." Someone with an evil eye was always looking out for themselves and greedily keeping track of which neighbor had what possessions. But someone with a good eye was always looking out for others and noticing ways to help meet their neighbors' needs. Jesus explains that if a person has a good eye--one that is focused on helping others and investing in the Kingdom--it allows light to fill the entire body (verse 22). But if a person has an evil eye--one that is focused on accumulating more stuff--then their body will be filled with darkness. In other words, the condition of someone's heart and the direction of their focus determines the light or darkness within them. Jesus adds, "If the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!" (verse 23). Statements like "I'm just living my truth" and "That may be right for you, but it's not right for me" push the idea that truth is simply whatever a certain person thinks or believes.

? According to the cultural tradition underlying this passage, some people have an envious viewpoint, while others have a generous viewpoint, looking for ways to help their neighbors. Why do you think a person's perspective has such a strong impact on their behavior related to money?

Two Masters           Matthew 6:24

By declaring, "No one can serve two masters' (Matthew 6:24), Jesus was forcing His listeners to choose whether they would be devoted to God or money. Serving God means selfishly operating with love, compassion, grace, and generosity. Serving money means selfishly focusing on acquiring wealth, climbing social ladders, and pursuing comforts. The conflict comes from the fact that both masters require complete devotion. (1). God demands undivided worships: "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). *2). Wealth demands constant maintenance, and "those who love money will never have enough" (Ecclesiastes 5:10). Jesus' followers must critically evaluate their priorities and allegiances to determine what master they are truly serving. Money itself is not the problem. In fact, it is a   tool that can used to further the Kingdom. Paul says instead that "the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10).

? What are some practical ways to avoid having a divided heart?

PART 3-Do Not Worry

      God Provides             Matthew 6:25-30

Most reasonable people would be concerned if they had no food, water, or clothing. But Jesus tells His disciples not to worry about any of these things (Matthew 6:25). God will provide His children's basic needs. Jesus directed His listeners' attention to the birds that were likely flying nearby as He spoke (verse 26). Most people don't think much about how birds feed their chicks. But God has already thought this thought.   He cares for the things He has created, placing them in environments that shelter and provide for them. Jesus then asked the crowd, "Aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?" God's children can have confidence that He will provide for them. Next, Jesus tells His disciples that there is no need for them to worry about these things. Not only does worry show a lack of faith in God, but it also accomplishes nothing. Jesus make this point by directing the crowd's attention to the flowers that were likely growing in the field around them (verse 28). Jesus' point is that even Solomon's royal regalia could not compete with the beauty and splendor of a single flower created by God (verse 29). If the birds and flowers--whose lives are short and mostly unremarkable--are so tenderly cared for by God, how much more will he care for His beloved children (verse 30)?

? Besides birds and flowers, what other examples in nature show how God provides for His creation?

Seek God's Kingdom             Matthew 6:31-34

Jesus reiterates that His  disciples need not worry whether their most basic needs like food, water, and clothing will be provided (Matthew 6:31). They should focus on eternal matters instead of being consumed with earthbound concerns that "dominate the thoughts of unbelievers" (verse 32). As Jesus' followers, we live under the care of our Heavenly Father. He has freed us from worrying about basic needs so we can spend our lives pursuing eternal goals--like spreading the gospel, discipling the next generation, and supporting the work id our local churches. This is part of what it means to "seek the kingdom of God above all else and live righteously" (verse 33). If we keep our priorities straight, God will provide everything we need.

? How can we balance our daily responsibilities with our faith that God will provide?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?

Many people are enslaved by their financial worries. But Jesus said there is no reason for His disciples to worry about such things. God care for everything He has made--most of all, His children. If we will trust God, prioritize His kingdom, and align our lives with Jesus' teachings, everything we need will be provided.

LIVING IT OUT

Step into your ministry, whether volunteer or vocational, with confidence that God will provide. 

DAILY BIBLE READINGS

      Monday: Love God Wholeheartedly. Deu. 6:4-9

Tuesday: Serve the Lord Alone. Deu. 6:10-15

         Wednesday: God Is Our Shepherd. Psalm 23:1-6

                 Thursday: Everything Is possible with God. Luke 4:5-8

Saturday: Do Not Be Anxious. Phillippians 4:4-8

RADIANT LIFE

Volume 107 Number 3 Mar. Apr. May 2026

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