Matthew 6:24

Matthew 6:24

I. It is very difficult to make men believe these words; so difficult, that our Lord Himself could not make the Jews believe them, especially the rich and comfortable religious people among them. They thought that they could have their treasure on earth and in heaven also; and they went their way, in spite of our Lord's warnings, and made money, honestly, no doubt, if they could; but if not, why, then dishonestly, for money must be made at all risks.

II. Seek ye first the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God; the government of God; the laws and rules by which Christ, King of kings and king, too, of every nation and man on earth, whether they know it or not governs mankind; that is what you have to seek, because it is there already. You are in Christ's kingdom. If you wish to prosper in it, find out what its laws are. That will be true wisdom. For in keeping the commandment of God and obeying His laws, in that alone is life life for body and soul, life for time and eternity.

III. And the righteousness of God, which is the righteousness of Christ find out what that is, and pray to Christ to give it to you; for so alone will you be what a man should be created after God in righteousness and true holiness, and renewed into the being and image of God. The merely assenting, merely respectable, even the so-called religious and orthodox life will not let you into the kingdom of heaven, either in this life or the life to come. No; that requires the noble life, the pure life, the just life, the Godlike life, which is perfect even as our Father in heaven is perfect. But how will this help you to rise in life? Our Lord Himself answers: "All these things shall be added unto you." Honour and power, wealth and prosperity, as much of them as is justly good for you, and as much of them as you deserve that is, earn and merit by your own ability and self-control shall come to you by the very laws of the universe and by the very providence of God. You shall find that godliness hath the promise of this life, as well as of that which is to come.

C. Kingsley, Westminster Sermons,p. 290.

References: Matthew 6:24. T. E. Vaux, Sermon Notes,2nd series, p. 30; Preacher's Monthly,vol. vi., p. 141; W. Stubbs, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxii., p. 177; H. J. Wilmot-Buxton, Sunday Sermonettes for a Year,p. 182; J. Keble, Sermons for the Christian Year,vol. iii., p. 240; F. D. Maurice, Sermons in Country Churches,p. 157.