Recap:
Everyone enjoys receiving something for free or discovering an irresistible sale. The thrill of a perceived deal—though the item may still be overpriced—gives people a temporary satisfaction. Yet, life often provides moments that remind us of the deeper truths beyond fleeting pleasures.
As Jesus taught about the Kingdom, he challenged his followers profoundly. He instructed that following Him required taking up one’s cross, dying to self, surrendering comfort, security, and future plans. These teachings are difficult and demanding. Similarly challenging was the call Jesus gave to love and pray for one’s enemies—a radical departure from human instinct.
But perhaps one of Jesus’s hardest teachings concerned money and possessions. Jesus declared clearly, “No one can serve two masters. You cannot serve both God and money.” This statement confronts everyone, regardless of their financial status or possessions. Money affects us all—whether through cash apps, investments, or the absence of wealth entirely.
Matthew, one of Jesus’s disciples, offers a powerful illustration. Matthew, known also as Levi, was once a tax collector who became wealthy by exploiting his own people. Considered a traitor, he amassed great fortune at significant social cost. Money owned him, isolating him from genuine relationships and true fulfillment.
However, Matthew experienced profound transformation when Jesus simply called, “Follow me.” Instantly, Matthew abandoned his tax booth and his wealth-driven lifestyle. He found freedom in generosity, throwing a lavish feast for sinners and outcasts, using his wealth to bless rather than exploit. Matthew learned a crucial lesson: possessions lose their power when we steward them generously rather than allowing them to control us.
Matthew’s Gospel subtly emphasizes the destructive power of greed through the tragic figure of Judas Iscariot. Unlike Matthew, Judas began as a trusted disciple, chosen by Jesus and entrusted with managing the group’s finances. Yet, greed gradually corrupted Judas’s heart, leading him to betrayal.
In Matthew 26, three scenes vividly illustrate Judas’s descent:
In the first, a woman named Mary lavishly poured expensive perfume upon Jesus, symbolizing profound worship and sacrifice. Judas, however, protested vehemently, arguing the perfume’s value should have benefited the poor. Yet John’s Gospel reveals Judas’s true motive: greed had taken root in his heart, causing him to steal from their shared resources. Judas prioritized wealth over genuine worship.
In the second scene, Judas’s corruption deepens. When Jesus announced one of his disciples would betray Him, each disciple humbly asked, “Is it I, Lord?” Judas alone addressed Jesus merely as “Rabbi,” reducing Jesus to a respected teacher rather than Lord. Greed had displaced Jesus’s rightful position in Judas’s heart.
These narratives serve as stark warnings: the love of money distorts worship and dethrones Christ in our lives. Augustine once said, “God is always trying to give good things to us, but our hands are too full to receive them.” Holding tightly to money and possessions prevents us from receiving God’s true blessings.
Ultimately, Matthew’s and Judas’s contrasting stories compel reflection: Does money serve us in God’s purposes, or do we serve money? Jesus calls us to radical generosity, urging us to demonstrate freedom from greed’s grip through open-handed living.
The challenge today remains clear: Practice radical generosity. Open hands can both give generously and receive abundantly from God. Only in this freedom can true fulfillment and worship flourish.
Group Questions:
Icebreaker Questions:
- What’s the best deal or free item you’ve ever gotten? Why was it memorable?
- If money wasn’t a factor, what’s one extravagant gift you’d love to give someone else?
Sermon Reflection Questions:
- Why do you think Jesus emphasized teachings about money and possessions so strongly?
- The sermon mentions that we cannot serve both God and money. How can money subtly become a “master” in our lives today?
Scripture Discussion:
Read Matthew 9:9-13 and Matthew 26:6-16.
- What stands out to you about Matthew’s response to Jesus’s call? How might you respond if called to leave your financial security behind?
- Contrast Matthew’s attitude toward money after following Jesus with Judas’s attitude. What lessons can we learn from their contrasting stories?
Personal Application:
- Augustine said, “God is always trying to give good things to us, but our hands are too full to receive them.” Can you share a personal experience when holding too tightly to possessions or money prevented you from receiving something greater from God?
- What are practical ways to practice “open-handed living” in your everyday life?
Challenge for the Week:
- Think of one specific way you can practice radical generosity this week. Share your idea with the group and commit to acting on it.