Spiritual Practices: Keyword Listing
Keyword listing is a method of observational Bible study. It doesn’t require any special skills, tools, or training. You can read more about the process of keyword listing here. You can choose any word or short phrase to study using keyword listing. For this passage, we suggest the following keyword(s) to start your study.
Starting Points
Keyword listing is a method of observational Bible study. It doesn’t require any special skills, tools, or training. You can read more about the process of keyword listing here. You can choose any word or short phrase to study using keyword listing. For this passage, we suggest the following keyword(s) to start your study.
Starting Points
- Men/Servants (and related pronouns) - Consider what Jesus says about the servants in his example
- Master (and related pronouns) - Consider what Jesus says about the master in his example
Exploring the Text: The Kingdom of God
Jesus starts out this section by say that we need not fear because God's desire is to give us the kingdom. The kingdom of God was Jesus' favorite topic, but it is something that we sometimes have a hard time defining. It encompasses a relationship with God (the king), the blessings of God, and living God's plan for our lives. We sometimes think we need to earn our way into these things and then we get worried about if we have done enough or are worthy enough for them. Jesus tells us to lay all of that aside. The kingdom of God is not something that we need to earn or something that we need to be worthy of, it is something that God is wanting to give us. We don't have to work to gain citizenship, God is already offering it. All we have to do is accept it.
Jesus starts out this section by say that we need not fear because God's desire is to give us the kingdom. The kingdom of God was Jesus' favorite topic, but it is something that we sometimes have a hard time defining. It encompasses a relationship with God (the king), the blessings of God, and living God's plan for our lives. We sometimes think we need to earn our way into these things and then we get worried about if we have done enough or are worthy enough for them. Jesus tells us to lay all of that aside. The kingdom of God is not something that we need to earn or something that we need to be worthy of, it is something that God is wanting to give us. We don't have to work to gain citizenship, God is already offering it. All we have to do is accept it.
Exploring the Text: Where your treasure is
After telling us that it is God's desire to give us the kingdom, Jesus goes on to give us some initial instructions for kingdom living. His first instruction has to do with what we value, what we spend our money on. Temporary worldly possessions are not particularly useful in the long run. He encourages us to get rid of them and instead to help others. When we do that, we store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth, treasures that won't wear out, lose value, or get stolen. He then makes a very powerful statement, "Where you treasure is, there will your heart be also." Our heart follows our money. This is why Jesus talks about it so much. We see this principle work itself out whenever you save up for something and then are finally able to buy it. You are so excited about it and want to take care of it. Your heart has followed your money. Jesus talks about money so much because he wants our heart to be set on things of God, not on temporary things on earth. This is also one of the reasons financially supporting your church consistently is such a big deal. It is not about the church needing your money. The church needs your heart, your support, your commitment, and where you treasure goes your heart is sure to follow. So where is your treasure? Where do you spend your money? Is that where you want your heart to ultimately go? Is that what you want your heart to be committed to?
After telling us that it is God's desire to give us the kingdom, Jesus goes on to give us some initial instructions for kingdom living. His first instruction has to do with what we value, what we spend our money on. Temporary worldly possessions are not particularly useful in the long run. He encourages us to get rid of them and instead to help others. When we do that, we store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth, treasures that won't wear out, lose value, or get stolen. He then makes a very powerful statement, "Where you treasure is, there will your heart be also." Our heart follows our money. This is why Jesus talks about it so much. We see this principle work itself out whenever you save up for something and then are finally able to buy it. You are so excited about it and want to take care of it. Your heart has followed your money. Jesus talks about money so much because he wants our heart to be set on things of God, not on temporary things on earth. This is also one of the reasons financially supporting your church consistently is such a big deal. It is not about the church needing your money. The church needs your heart, your support, your commitment, and where you treasure goes your heart is sure to follow. So where is your treasure? Where do you spend your money? Is that where you want your heart to ultimately go? Is that what you want your heart to be committed to?