Dock Resource Kit
Sunday sermon, 17 November 2024
Summary
This week, Abie spoke to us about the connection between wealth and worry, continuing our Be Well series by exploring how Jesus calls us to find true security in God rather than in material possessions. Reflecting on Matthew 6:19–34, she reminded us that earthly treasures are fleeting, and worry often stems from misplaced trust. Abie challenged us to let go of the things we strive to control and instead lean into God’s provision, rediscovering the peace and freedom that come from believing Jesus. Through this, we are invited to embrace a life that proclaims trust in God and His kingdom above all else.
Dock Discussion Questions
Reflect on Matthew 6:19–34. What stands out to you most in Jesus’ teaching about wealth and worry, and how does it challenge your perspective?
Abie described the difference between believing in Jesus and believing Jesus. How do you think this difference plays out in your own faith journey?
What are the “earthly treasures” in your life that you might be tempted to place your security in? How can you shift your trust more fully to God?
In our Be Well series, we’ve been thinking about God’s design for a holistic, healthy life. How does trusting God over earthly treasures contribute to your sense of peace and wellbeing?
Long-form, editted transcript
Be Well: Trusting God with Wealth and Worry
This morning, we continue our “Be Well” series, looking at God’s design for our lives and how He calls us to live. Today, we are focusing on two interconnected themes: wealth and worry. These are areas of life that deeply influence our decisions, priorities, and faith journey.
To begin, let us hear from the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:25–34.
Do Not Worry About Your Life
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”
This passage is quite a famous bit of the Bible, isn’t it? It’s the kind of Scripture that shows up on fridge magnets or in the “feel-good” section of Christian bookstores. It’s warm and reassuring. Its message is simple: “Don’t worry. God loves you. God’s got this. You’re valuable.”
But let’s be honest. The phrase “don’t worry” has varying levels of effectiveness, doesn’t it? For me, it depends entirely on who’s saying it. If the person hasn’t contributed anything to a group project and casually says “don’t worry” two days before the deadline, it’s not exactly comforting. Or when a child caught eating something they shouldn’t looks at me and says, “Don’t worry,” I’m definitely still worried!
So much of it comes down to trust. How much do we trust the person who says, “Don’t worry”?
When these words come from Jesus, speaking about God, they should carry a different weight. Surely we can trust Him. But before we relax too much, let’s rewind a few verses and see how these comforting words follow a much more challenging instruction.
Where Your Treasure Is, There Your Heart Will Be
Matthew 6:19–24 reads:
“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.”
These words dig deeper into our relationship with wealth. If we trust Jesus when He says, “Don’t worry,” we must also trust Him enough to live by these instructions. Why do we feel the need to store up earthly treasures if we truly believe God will provide for us?
This is where many of us, myself included, may feel challenged. And that’s okay. Today, we’ll explore these questions:
Do we trust Jesus enough to believe Him when He tells us not to worry?
If not, what stops us?
Why do we find it so tempting to rely on wealth instead of Him?
A Changing Skyline: What Do We Serve?
For centuries, the skyline of London was dominated by church steeples. If you’d looked out over the city, all you’d have seen were monuments to God.
Today, those steeples have been dwarfed by skyscrapers. Our skyline now proclaims servitude not to God but to money.
We can’t go anywhere without seeing messages about wealth—on buses, TV, or social media. Words like “budget,” “inflation,” and “interest” fill our conversations and occupy our minds. It’s no wonder money has such a hold on us.
This shift reveals something deeper: as a society, we’ve stopped putting our faith in God and instead placed it in wealth. Whether we have a little or a lot, we’ve made money into an idol.
Money: A Tool, Not a Treasure
There’s a saying that “money is the root of all evil,” but this gives it far too much power. Money itself is just a tool—it can be used for good or bad. The problem arises when we elevate it to a place it was never meant to hold.
This week, I asked people of all ages, “If you had a million pounds, what would you buy?”
The children’s answers were delightfully creative: a million toys, a ticket to China to see the Berlin Wall (we’ll forgive the geography), and investments in inventions that don’t yet exist.
Adults, on the other hand, were strikingly similar. Nearly everyone said, “A house.” Some added specifics—a house with a garden, a hot tub, or a dog.
This reveals a universal longing: security.
The Pursuit of Security
We live in one of the most expensive cities in the world. With rising food bank usage, homelessness increasing, and the cost of living soaring, it’s no surprise we equate security with possessions.
But Jesus warns us about relying on these things. They’re fragile—vulnerable to theft, decay, and destruction. True security comes only from Him.
Believing in Jesus vs. Believing Jesus
There’s a difference between believing in Jesus—acknowledging His existence—and believing Jesus, taking His words and promises to heart.
To believe Jesus is to risk everything based on His teachings, trusting that He will provide all we need. It’s a radical shift from building our own kingdoms to building His.
The Faith of a Child
As a child, I never worried about food, clothes, or shelter. I trusted my mother completely, knowing she would provide everything I needed.
But as we grow up, independence and responsibility replace that trust. Security starts to look like possessions—houses, cars, bank balances—things we can control.
This isn’t a new struggle. In Exodus, the Israelites tried to hoard manna despite God’s command to trust Him for daily provision. Their stockpiles turned to mould and maggots—a reminder that security is found in God, not in material abundance.
Fragile Treasures, Eternal Security
Over the years, I’ve been robbed multiple times. Each time, the stolen items—my phone, wallet, car keys—were things I relied on for security.
These experiences reminded me that earthly possessions are fragile and fleeting. When they’re gone, what remains? The answer is God and the community He provides.
Overcoming Barriers to Trust
What stops us from trusting God fully?
Past experiences: If you didn’t experience love or provision growing up, trusting in a loving God can feel foreign.
Fear of scarcity: Those who’ve faced hunger or hardship may cling to possessions out of desperation.
Comfort in wealth: Success can make us feel self-sufficient, forgetting our need for God.
Wherever you find yourself, take time to reflect on God’s faithfulness. Remember His blessings, both past and present, and trust that He will continue to provide.
What Do You Serve?
As a society, we build monuments to what we serve. So, what does your life proclaim? Do people see someone consumed by worry and the pursuit of wealth, or someone secure in God’s love?
True contentment comes from trusting Jesus when He says:
“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Concluding Prayer
Heavenly Father, We come before You with all that hinders our trust. Teach us to rely on You as little children do—to see our security not in possessions but in You. Help us to let go of fear, greed, and self-reliance, and to place our faith in Your promises. May our lives reflect Your peace and proclaim Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.