Read Matthew 6:22-24 in your personal Bible or at the link provided.
Review
- What happens when our eyes are healthy? What about when they’re unhealthy?
- According to verse 24, what can’t happen at the same time?
- How does this affect our devotion (or lack of devotion) to God?
Reflect
Yesterday we read about our hearts reflecting the core of our being. Today’s passage refers to the eye in a similar way. It’s described as a lamp that reveals what’s inside, whether light or dark. How does this connect to what we value or treasure? Healthy eyes are critical to gaining an eternal perspective. Jesus wasn’t saying that it’s bad to have money or to even enjoy money. He said it’s bad to serve money, or to make it ultimate.
God wants to remove the blurry edges of our vision and sharpen our view of what really matters. He can’t do that if we’re busy loving our treasures and devoting our time and energy to amassing things. Our hearts can’t be divided. We’re either devoted to God, or we’re enslaved to money. The two can’t coexist.
If you want to be awakened to what matters most, let God shine His light inside you. Let Him reveal the places that are devoted to something other than Him. He might ask you to let go of the treasures you’re holding onto or spending your time amassing. He might clear out the things that are blocking your ability to see and hear. No matter what He reveals, let Him give you new eyes to see.
Respond
- If God were to shine a light inside you right now, what would He reveal? Is there anything that needs to be confessed and turned over to Him?
- Do you ever find your heart divided between loving God and being enslaved to money? How does this play out?
- What is God challenging you to let go of or change so you can be wholly devoted to Him with your time, talent, and treasure?
As you process these questions, use page 65 of your Awaken Guidebook to jot down any key reflections or next steps. Be sure to bring your guidebook to your group! Page 66 is a great place to write down things that you want to process together.