Devo for 08/17/2025 Service - Message by Pastor Clint Sprague
Pastor Clint continued the series “The Way that Leads to Life” which, as he puts it, is like taking a hike through Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Pastor Clint shared a quote from Oswald Chambers that really sums up Jesus’ longest sermon.
“The sermon on the Mount is a statement of the life we will live when the Holy Spirit is getting his way with us.”
Pastor Clint spoke from Matthew 6:19-34, where Jesus warned us not to store up treasures on earth, but “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven”. We know that we are not able to send our tangible treasures to heaven but we can store up heavenly treasures which have eternal value! What this means is, we store up treasures in heaven by seeing people, possessions and plans through the Eyes of Eternity!
‘The eye is the lamp of the body.’ So if you have a ‘good eye’ [that is, if you are generous] your whole body will be full of light; but if you have an ‘evil eye’ [if you are stingy] your whole body will be full of darkness. If, then, the light in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Matthew 6:22-23 CJB
So, knowing that our focus should be on storing our treasures up in Heaven, what are we to do with our “earthly treasures”; in other words what do we do with our stuff? Remember, our stuff and money are not bad, the bad comes when we put these things above God. Thankfully, Paul gives us some guidance in this area. And surprise, he instructs us to be generous with our stuff!!
Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. 1 Timothy 6:17-19
So friends, how are you doing with your “stuff”? You know, the stuff God “richly supplied for you.” Things like your skills, talents, tangible things, your money and your heart. Are you stewarding them well? Are you Doing Good, Being Rich in Good Works, and are you Generous and Ready to Share?
I encourage you all to ask God how you are doing. Then ask Him to show you ways you can be generous and a blessing to others during your stay here on earth!
Don’t forget to invite God into your day!
Topic for Study
Apprehension
Psalm 139:23
Exodus 14:14
1 John 4:18
August Memory Verse:
Proverbs 12:15
“A fool’s way is right in his own eyes, but whoever listens to counsel is wise”