In the Wake of Worldliness

If you've ever been to a big lake, envision backing your boat down into the water on the boat ramp. Once the boat is in the water, there is a stretch of water that is considered a "no wake" zone, hence signaled by the bouys that say "no wake" on them. If someone pays no attention to the warning and heads full throttle out to their fishing spot, it creates a wake or disturbance to a peaceful set of waters. Likewise, worldliness can create a wake in our lives if left unchecked. As Jesus continues in the sermon on the mount from Matthew chapter six, let's see what happens in the wake of worldliness.

Matthew 6:19-34

Worldliness causes unwise investments (19-21)
Those who invest make sure they have a wise plan for their money. Remember the commercial that's airing right now with the guy pulling his retirement goal on a string, and he comes up to the neighbor trimming his shrubs with his retirement number sitting on top, which happened to be a gazillion. He states that he throws money at it blindly and hopes something good happens. Unfortunately, people can make unwise spiritual investments. Jesus contrasts two types of investments we can make regarding the things we treasure.

Earthly treasures are the things which don't last (hence what Jesus says about moths and rust destroying and thieves breaking in and stealing). This is why you never see a hurse behinSpiritual treasures will last forever as they are reserved in Heaven for us (1 Pet. 1:4; 2 Tim. 4:8). Jesus says the things we treasure show our heart condition. Either we have a heart for God, resulting in godliness, or we have a heart for the world, resulting in worldliness. We need to make sure we are making wise investments in the right kinds of treasures which God has in store for us.

Worldliness causes ungodly service (22-24)
Imagine trying to work for two different bosses at the same time. I'm not talking about a day job and night job either. It's impossible to satisfy the demands of both bosses because it creates a conflict of interest, resulting in divided service. So it is with trying to serve God while serving things of this world at the same time. Jesus makes it clear that we cannot do this.

He uses two examples. First he talks about the eye as the organ of the body letting in light or darkness, but He does this in a spiritual application of light and darkness. There are good eyes and bad eyes. Good eyes are focused on God, while bad eyes might have a tendency to have one eye on the world, while having an eye on God at the same time. If someone is cross-eyed or has a lazy eye, it can appear that they are looking different directions at the same time. This can happen spiritually (Mt. 19:16-30). He also uses the example of trying to serve two masters. However, He points out that we'll hate one and love the other, or we'll hold to one and despise the other. We cannot serve God and riches. Don't let worldliness cause you to serve something ungodly.

Worldliness causes unnecessary anxiety (25-34)
Nod your head if you've ever experienced any of the following symptoms: fatigue, headaches, gastritis, insomnia, high blood pressure. These are all common things which can be caused by worry or anxiety. Jesus shows how caring so much about things of the world can cause anxiety to consume our lives. Some things worth noting about how anxiety or worry is unnecessary: He shows how there is more to life than the things about which we worry (25); He shows how it doesn't accomplish anything (27); He shows how God takes care of the things of this world which are of less importance than us (26,28,30).

Jesus says unnecessary anxiety comes from a lack of faith (30). Paul gave us a remedy for worry in Phil. 4:6-7. Jesus even gave his own remedy in verse 33 of our text. Are you seeking first the kingdom and righteousness of God, or are you letting worldliness cause all of these tragic things in your life? Make sure you are making the right spiritual investments. Make sure you are serving the right Master. Make sure you are avoiding unnecessary anxiety. Don't let the wake of worldliness shift your foundation from the rock of Jesus Christ to the shaky sand of the world.