You Can't Take it With You
Hidden Treasure  
Treasure Principle 
Some of the material used in this lesson is taken from the book entitled "The Treasure Priciple" 
 
Introduction
1. If you had to pack all your most treasured earthly possesions into a single grocery cart, what would you take? Why? What makes those things so special?
2. Of the items you would place in the grocery cart, which would you value the most? 
3. Randy Alcorn makes the statement that no matter how great the value of your earthly fortune, it would be worthless in eternity.  If you could fill an imaginary grocery cart full of things that have eternal value, what would you place inside? 
Treasures in Heaven
Look up the scripture verses in the right hand column.
1. What does the Bible teach us about generosity?
2. How do these verses help us as we plan for the future?  Is it good to have a savings account, health insurance, a retirement plan, life insurance, etc? 
3. Is it ok to be wealthy? 
4. Whether we are poor or wealthy, what should our attituded be concerning wealth.
5. Laying up your treasures in heaven is sort of like paying it forward.  How can we manage our finances with an eternal perspective? 
Treasures in Heaven
Look up the scripture verses in the right hand column.
1. What does the Bible teach us about generosity?
2. How do these verses help us as we plan for the future?  Is it good to have a savings account, health insurance, a retirement plan, life insurance, etc? 
3. Is it ok to be wealthy? 
4. Whether we are poor or wealthy, what should our attituded be concerning wealth.
5. Laying up your treasures in heaven is sort of like paying it forward.  How can we manage our finances with an eternal perspective? 
Life Application
This lesson was designed to help us gain an eternal perspective on wealth and riches.  When we become too focused on material things we run the risk committing idolatry; putting "things" ahead of God.  The most basic principle to be applied is that, "You cannot take it with you. But you can send it ahead."
1. What would you like to send ahead?  How can you invest your times and energies on things that have an eternal value?
2. Is there something you are hanging on to that has taken the place of the more important things of life?
3. What can you do this week to re-prioritize your life?
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You Can't Take it
With You

 Psalm 49:16-17

 

In his book, "The Treasure Principle", Randy Alcorn points out that there is a fundamental connection between our spiritual lives and how we think about and handle money. He says we simply cannot divorce our faith and our finances. Because money and finances play such an important part in all of our lives, it is necessary for us to maintain a biblical perspective.

 

This lesson is the first of a series on stewardship and finances. We begin the series with this one basic principle; earthly wealth is only temporary. No matter how much money you accumulate you cannot take it with you. 

 

A fable is told of a man who knew he was about to die, and wanted to take all his money with him.  So he left his fortune with three men.  He told each one to take custody of a portion of his estate and, upon his death, return it by placing it in his casket. 

 

Sure enough, the man passed away.  At the funeral each of his friends approached the casket.  The first was very apologetic.  He spoke sincerely to the man's remains. "Dear sir: I'm am sorry at your passing.  And I regret to say that my wife was ill and I took your money to pay the doctor bills. I have no money to place in your casket."  The second man approached the casket. "My dear friend: my car broke down, so I borrowed your money to purchase a new one.  I had no idea you would die so soon.  I regret to say, I cannot replace the money you put in my trust."  The third man approached the casket with great confidence: "My dear friend.  It is easy to see that these men could not be trusted with your fortune.  I am proud to say that I have been a good steward of your money.  And here, I lay in your casket, a check for the full amount."

You Cannot Take it With You
But You Can Send it Ahead

 

Matthew 6:19-21

 

The treasures of young king Tutankhamun were buried in the Valley of the Kings for over 4,000 years before they were finally discovered by Howard Carter in 1922. In his tomb archeologists discovered incalculable wealth.  Every bit of it was left behind.  Young King Tut could not take a single penny of his wealth with him when he died.  What he considered wealth is now considered "artifacts". John D. Rockefeller was one of the wealthiest men who ever lived.  Upon his death someone asked how much wealth he left behind.  To which one of his assistants replied, "He left...all of it."  It is true. All of our earthly possessions will most certainly be left behind.

 

Since we cannot take any of our earthly wealth with us, how should we invest our time and energies? Matthew 6:20 say to, "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." 

 

Read the following passages and reflect on the differences between an earthly economy and an eternal economy.

 

Luke 3:10-14

Matthew 13:44

Luke 19:8-10

Acts 2:45; 4:32-35

Mark 12:41-44

Luke 12:16-20

Matthew 19:16-26

Matthew 6:19-21

Phillipians 3:7-8

Proverbs 23:5

   

Missionary Jim Elliot, who was murdered by those to whom he was trying to minister, once wrote, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."  Some how Elliot understood that even his very own life was unimportant compared to what God has to offer.  Mr. Elliot had found the hidden treasure described in Matthew 13:44. 

Will there be Pizza in Heaven?
Many years ago a young child asked my wife Linda if there would be pizza in heaven.  Not knowing exactly how to respond, she simply said that in heaven you will find whatever it takes to make you happy. A few days later the child's mother wanted to know why Linda was teaching students that they serve pizza in heaven. 
What does it mean to lay up treasures in heaven? 
Read the following verses and see if you can find some answers.