How does 1 Corinthians 7:31 connect with Matthew 6:19-21 on treasures? Scripture to Set the Scene • 1 Corinthians 7:31 — “those who use the world, as if not engrossed in it. For this world in its present form is passing away.” • Matthew 6:19-21 — “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.” Shared Themes at a Glance • Temporary nature of earthly things • Call to loosen our grip on the material • Invitation to invest in what endures forever • Heart orientation determines treasure location Living Loosely Attached to the World 1. Paul’s phrase “as if not engrossed in it” (1 Corinthians 7:31) urges believers to treat earthly resources like rental property—useful, but not ultimate. 2. Jesus amplifies the same mindset: earthly treasures are vulnerable to decay and theft (Matthew 6:19). Clinging to them is short-sighted because “this world in its present form is passing away.” 3. Other voices join in: • 1 John 2:17 — “The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God remains forever.” • Hebrews 13:14 — “For here we do not have a permanent city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” What It Means to Store Treasures in Heaven • Prioritize obedience: every act done “unto the Lord” accrues eternal value (Colossians 3:23-24). • Invest in people: souls are eternal, possessions are not (Philippians 4:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). • Give generously: transferring assets to heaven’s ledger by blessing others (Luke 12:33-34; 1 Timothy 6:17-19). • Cultivate Christ-centered affections: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2). Practical Take-Home Applications • Budget with eternity in mind—plan giving first, spending second. • Hold possessions with open hands: use them, enjoy them, but be ready to release them. • Measure success by faithfulness, not accumulation. • Regularly audit the heart: “Where is my delight—on things passing away or on the Lord who abides forever?” Supporting Passages • Luke 12:15 — “Life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” • Proverbs 23:4-5 — Riches “sprout wings and fly away.” • 2 Peter 3:10-12 — The present world will be dissolved; live in holiness and godliness. • Revelation 21:1-4 — A new heaven and new earth await, confirming the temporary nature of the present order. Holding loosely what is fading frees us to invest boldly in what cannot fade, aligning heart and treasure with the everlasting kingdom. |
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