Matthew 6:1-2,4-6,16,18-21

Are humans that predictable? Are people really so selfish? Do we nearly always pursue some payoff or reward in every situation? Phil Ware writes out of a quiet time study of Matthew 6 and the memory of the crass motivation often behind our behaviors, even our most religious behaviors.

""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...."

"[Jesus continued:] "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store....."

"Dear Disciple, I have a question: Why are you doing spiritual things? Are you trying to impress someone and prove you are religious? Are you trying....."

"[Jesus warned his disciples,] "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in..."

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,..."

"[Jesus continued:] "When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can....."

"Don't store treasures for yourselves here on earth where moths and rust will destroy them and thieves can break in and steal them. But store your..."

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 6:19-20 -- Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not corrupt and thieve

Here's the best financial planning possible So instead of burying your money in the ground, you should be storing up treasure in heaven. How do you do that? Do good. Be rich in good deeds. Be generous. And be willing to share.

"Dear Disciple, Over the ages, people have freely talked with each other about almost everything, except how they spend their money. Once the talk..."

What are you willing to do that only God knows? The greatest is often not the one we think is most important, but the one who serves with the most selfless heart.

Have you thought through your major purchase? Steve Higginbotham shares his problems with impulse buying and the bills that eventually come due and he compares it to how we live our lives and the big check out day that lies ahead.

An old silver dollar evokes many old memories! Russ Lawson lets silver dollars remind him of long ago with his grandparents and challenge himself right now to treasure the proper things in life.

"[Jesus continued:] "When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do — blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention..."

"[Jesus continued:] "And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will..."

Why is it so hard to do things quietly and without drawing attention to ourselves Tom Norvell reminds us that true piety is about quiet, anonymous, kind acts of service and generosity for others done to honor God and not ourselves.

Finding more than we are looking for! Russ Lawson talks about the origin of the word serendipity and asks how we will use these blessings in our lives?

"[Jesus continued:] "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.""

"Be careful not to do your "acts of righteousness" before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

"[Jesus continued his Sermon on the Mount,] "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward..."

""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,....."

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

"[Jesus taught his disciples, "When] you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done...."

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 6:1 -- Be careful not to do your "acts of righteousness" before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 6:6 -- But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 6:20 -- 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.

Where are you stuck? We will never make it trying to live in the middle: it is the place of collisions and disasters.

Is your treasure safe? Treasure in this world can be stolen or lost. Treasure with God is safe forever.

"Dear Child of the Father in Heaven, In My earthly ministry, I taught My disciples these essential truths:Some people store up treasures in their..."

Is God my treasure? If I were to lose everything but still have God in my life, would he be enough for me? Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to call us to recognize God as our greatest treasure and that he is enough for us, even in, and especially when, the world crashes in on us.

How do you honor a servant who is not trying to be noticed? Phil Ware talks about a university honoring students for their acts of service and it leads him to wonder how we honor God's servants today.

"Dear Precious One, Are you worried about finances? Retirement? Funding college? Too little money at the end of too long a month? Or paying off your....."

We want to be a people who sing to God out of hearts full of gratitude because of our riches in Christ Jesus! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in online worship through words and music, using YouTube videos to lead us to sing with hearts full of gratitude for all that God has done for us in Jesus.

Doesn't my gift count? Cathy Messecar confesses her struggle to make giving something that honors God and not herself and she talks about the Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive.

"When you pray, go to your room and close the door. Pray privately to your Father who is with you. Your Father sees what you do in private. He will..."

So why do we discount what the Lord does through us? Phil Ware reminds us that nothing we do in the Lord's name is insignificant, unimportant, or forgotten by God who loves us and remembers and rewards us for what we do.

What can I do that really matters to the Kingdom of God? Phil Ware begins a short series on Untold Stories from the Bible and shares the story of Onesiphorus refreshing Paul while he was in prison.

Why do you do the things you do? People look at the outside; God examines the heart. Rather than trying to impress those around you, put your time and effort into doing the things that God would have you do. Don't do it to try and get something in return; make pleasing God your goal.

How can we tune our hearts to the vibe of heaven? Phil Ware continues his series of thoughts on The Jesus Vibe and this time he shares how the Lord's Prayer tunes our hearts to living the life of the Jesus Vibe.

How do you get life that is truly life? Wealth isn't measured by dollars or gold. The only treasure that matters is that which is stored in heaven.

Are you really hungry for God? Fasting is a way to draw closer to God.

Prayer becomes a tuning fork that helps us sing the song of God's magnificence with both holy praise as well as genuine concern for the people in our world. Phil Ware continues his series of thoughts on living as a disciple that is JesuShaped and focuses on how the Lord's Prayer tunes our hearts to living the JesuShaped life.

Growing in prayer, feeling a connection with the Father, and being formed to be a useful vessel for Jesus to use to bless others is a journey. Phil Ware, with the help of Chad Higgins, continues his series on Lord Teach Us to Pray focusing on learning from Jesus.

Where is your heart? We need to take care of our hearts, both physically and spiritually

How do you honor a servant who is not trying to be noticed but simply trying to do good things for others? Phil Ware talks about a university honoring students for their acts of service and it leads him to wonder how we honor God's servants today.

What in the world is that sound? Phil Ware looks back on an old reel-to-reel recording and editing session and reflects how he could sure use that same kind of thing in his life!

I feel like I am launching my prayers upward, as if I was shooting bbs toward heaven, only to have them hit a metal ceiling and fall at my feet, mocking me with their ineffectiveness! Phil Ware provides a host of resources on prayer and how to grow our prayer lives.

For many, the added ending is not a good thing, and it is certainly NOT a 'Jesus thing'! Phil Ware with Doug Peters help us finish our study of The Lord's Prayer and focus on how it points us to the 'coolest" Father of all.

What's a young guy got to do? Rubel Shelly wades into the Tim Tebow issue with some good insight and a reminder to wait and see how this all turns out.

What makes you rich? Jesus told his followers that it was hard for the rich to become a part of his kingdom (Matthew 19:24). The apostle Paul said that those who want to have wealth fall into a trap, and some have ruined their faith because of it. (1 Timothy 6:9-10) And James

Who are you really living for? We are called to be Christ-centered, not self-centered.

How honest are you? Let's make sure our words are true and fair and honest, completely.

What are you searching for? Patrick Odum writes about Alaska, Skagway, gold, searching, treasure, and the Kingdom of God.

Why is it all about taste and aroma? Katha Winther talks about all the smells and tastes that are associated with marketing products today and reminds us that life is more than food and clothing.

Prayer can be an incredible blessing for us as God's children. However, prayer can also feel frustrating and bewildering to many who are trying to follow Jesus. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to glorify God as we remember that prayer is about relationship and Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to help us know our hearts are heard.

Give thanks for this? Phil Ware finishes his November series of giving thanks and focuses on our mission or call from God.