“Christ's Heart For Kids, The Worship & Destruction of Materialism, & A True Disciple’s Reward”

Matthew 19:13-15

Jesus desires that children come to Him.

Children often have an unhindered faith and trust in what they perceive to be real and true, which again, are the principles being given to clarify who those are that make-up the Heavenly Kingdom.

Jesus desires to call all “little children” (who trust in Him), to Himself, in order to pray for them.
 
The church should have a heart for children as well.

God has entrusted many children to us - to love and nurture, to pray for and invest in with discipleship, at a level that speaks to them.

Our Children’s Ministry needs not only our prayers, but our help.

Children are a blessing from the Lord, as Scripture makes clear.  But just how many we’re to have is an individual family matter, as we’re different.

Whether the Lord blesses you with one or with seven children, may God help us to do everything in our church and especially in our homes, to raise our children in the Lord, well.

Matthew 19:16-26

The worship and destruction of materialism is still a reality.

For many in the world who have much material gain, when it's coupled with self-righteousness (as seen here), it's truly a deadly combination with eternal results.

“Cash is king.”  “Money makes the world go ‘round.”  “He/she who dies with the most toys, wins.”  “Money talks.”  “The almighty dollar (peso).”
Yet God’s Word says, “Keep your life free from love of money; and be content with what you have.  For He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5)

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be, also.”  - Matthew 6:21  “Whoever loves money, never has enough; whoever loves wealth, is never satisfied with their income.  This too, is meaningless.”  - Ecclesiastes 5:10  
“No one can serve two masters; either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and money.”  - Matthew 6:24  

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  Some people eager for money, have wandered from the faith, and pierced themselves with many griefs.”  - 1 Timothy 6:10  
“Sell your possessions, and give to the poor.  Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear-out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.”  - Luke 12:33

“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth, and do not need a thing’.  But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”  - Revelation 3:17
“The seed falling among the thorns, refers to someone who hears the word but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.”  - Matthew 13:22
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field; when a man found it, he hid it again; and then in his joy, went and sold all he had and bought that field.”  - Matthew 13:44  

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain; but to put their hope in God, Who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  Command them to do good - to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way, they will lay-up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life, that is truly life.”  - 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Let’s pray to God, that He might protect us from any desires or deception that would weaken or perhaps even derail our faith.

As each of us compares our own household income to that of the average household income in the world (which is very apparent here in Mexico as well), we come to see that most of us in here are rich… Although the temptation is to compare ourselves to the ‘really’ rich. 

Obviously, Jesus wants us to feel the weight of His words here (just as His disciples apparently did!), so that we’ll take seriously the worship/idolatry of materialism/wealth, as it’s a lifelong matter of prayer.  

But even so, Jesus encourages us with His closing words in this section: “...But with God, all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:27-30

Jesus is very clear that there will be great reward for those who’ve followed Christ, and for those who’ve sacrificed greatly for His Name, the Kingdom and the gospel.

We need to be careful not to distort the purity of  grace.  Jesus would never imply a merit-based system whereby you get so much when you give so much, as this would no longer be grace and it could distort our motives.

When Jesus says that such people will receive “many times as much”, it’s likely not to be taken in a literal, material sense; otherwise, He would be promising upwards of one hundred mothers and wives.

This may be an inference toward great and meaningful relationships while still on earth, with our Heavenly Family.  We should be taking full advantage here and now, and not let time pass us by.

“That's nice, and thanks; but no thanks.”  Remember, that we’re talking about the Body and Bride of Christ here, and the family of God whom He’s purchased with His own blood.
If we want to show allegiance and affection toward our biological/nuclear family, saying, “Blood is thicker than water” (and rightly so, to a degree), then how much more so with our true, ultimate and eternal Heavenly Family?... Of which our current families are to serve as a type or foreshadow of. 

Jesus will more than make-up for what we’ve given-up, for His sake; but the return may be spiritual instead of material; and it could in this life (as with Job), or in the next.

Ways we might receive “many times as much”:  “With joy in the Holy Spirit; With peace of conscience; With a sense of God’s love; With contentment, having a satisfied frame of mind.  Or finally, God may stir the hearts of others to supply their wants; and that supply can be sweeter to them, than their abundance was.” 

No matter what, the principle stands - that God is indebted to no one, as it’s impossible for us to give more to God than He gives to us.

There’s great reward for those who’ve followed Christ and for those who’ve sacrificed greatly for His Name, the Kingdom and the gospel; and so continue to press-in to Him, and to press-on for Him.

Psalm 84:10 - “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside.
I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God, than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”