Happy Tuesday to you & yours. I hope your week is going great and that this message finds you well.
This is the study guide based on my recent article, Ambition & Loyalty. If you have not read it or feel like you need a review, please click here. The article is based on Matthew 6:19-34. I also recommend you have a Bible, paper, and pen with you as you work through this study guide. Take notes and reflect as God leads you.
I hope this study helps us examine our ambitions and loyalty closely. May we examine our hearts in light of Jesus's teaching that the things that drive our souls and our lives should be more about the eternal than the temporary.
Have a great week.
Worldly Ambitions Can Challenge Our Loyalty to God.
Opening Question:
What are some common ambitions or goals people have in our society today?
Summary:
The central theme of Matthew 6:19-34 is that while ambition can be a positive force, it often challenges our loyalty to God by redirecting our focus away from God, meaningful relationships, and core values. This article emphasizes that everyone treasures something, whether it be money, career, or status, and this treasure can become a controlling influence in our lives. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, addresses this issue by urging his followers to prioritize their love for God and His kingdom over material concerns.
The passage highlights the conflict between earthly and heavenly treasures, stating, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Jesus teaches that what we value most reveals the true state of our hearts. The metaphor of the eye as the lamp of the body is used to illustrate that a clear focus on what is truly valuable—God’s kingdom—fills our hearts with light. Conversely, when our focus is on earthly things, it leads to spiritual darkness.
Jesus also warns against the impossibility of serving two masters, specifically God and money, as “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money.” This teaching extends to anxiety about material needs, which Jesus says is a failure to trust in God’s provision. He encourages a focus on seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness first, with the assurance that “all these things will be added to you.”
The document concludes by emphasizing that worldly ambitions can blind us to our materialism and that worry can become a form of idolatry. The ultimate message is that our supreme ambition should be the glory of God, with a focus on eternal treasures rather than temporary, worldly concerns.
Key Takeaways:
1. Our treasures reveal the true state of our hearts.
2. Worldly ambitions can blind us to spiritual realities.
3. Worry is a form of practical atheism and shows a lack of trust in God.
4. Seeking God's kingdom first leads to proper perspective and provision.
Discussion Questions:
1. How do you define "treasure" in your life? What do you value most?
2. Jesus talks about storing up treasures in heaven. What do you think this means practically?
3. How can ambition be both positive and negative in our spiritual lives?
4. In what ways have you experienced the "blindness" that comes from materialism or greed?
5. Why do you think worry is so prevalent, even among believers?
6. How does seeking God's kingdom first change our approach to daily life and concerns?
7. What are some practical ways we can combat the idols of materialism and worry?
Practical Applications:
1. Gratitude Exercise: Each day this week, write down three things you're thankful for that God has provided.
2. Priority Check: Evaluate your schedule and spending. Do they align with kingdom priorities?
3. Worry Journal: When you feel anxious, write it down and then pray, surrendering that concern to God.
4. Generosity Challenge: Find a way to give (time, money, resources) to advance God's kingdom this week.
5. Memory Verse: Memorize Matthew 6:33 as a reminder to seek God's kingdom first.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, help us to treasure You above all else. Forgive us for the times we've allowed worldly ambitions to challenge our loyalty to You. Teach us to trust You more fully and to seek Your kingdom first in all areas of our lives. Amen.