337: Seek First the Kingdom: Money, Mastery, and Trust in God's Provision
Jesus doesn’t call money evil—but he does warn it can become a rival master. From treasure and eyesight metaphors to birds and lilies, Rowan unpacks how anxiety, fear, and “mammon” can hijack our loves—and how seeking the Kingdom first reorders our finances, desires, and daily peace.
👀 What You’ll Learn
💰 Why “treasure” directs your heart (not the other way around)
👁️ The “eye” as your inner lens: generosity vs. stinginess and how it colors life
🪙 Mammon as a rival master—and how allegiance shows up in choices
🕊️ How trust displaces financial anxiety (birds/lilies theology of provision)
🧭 Practical ways to “seek first” with time, talent, and treasure
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Setting: Sermon on the Mount & money myths
01:10 – Treasures: earth vs. heaven, decay vs. durability
02:30 – The eye: healthy vs. unhealthy vision and inner light
04:05 – Two masters: God vs. mammon in everyday decisions
06:10 – Birds & lilies: a theology of care that confronts worry
08:10 – Seek first: ordering life, giving, and margin by faith
09:30 – Freedom from fear: money you steward vs. money that owns you
🙋 Reflection & Application
Audit your allegiances: What recent decision revealed your true “master”?
Recalibrate your “eye”: One habit this week that cultivates generous vision.
Practice “seek first”: Choose a percentage or practice (tithe/first-gift/sabbath/margin) that actually costs you and builds trust.
Anxiety trade: Name one money worry and pair it with one concrete Kingdom action today.
✅ Key Takeaways
Where your treasure goes, your heart follows—so aim treasure at eternity.
A generous “eye” fills life with light; a stingy one darkens everything.
You can’t serve both God and mammon; neutrality is an illusion.
Trust is practical: seek the Kingdom first, and needs find their place.
🔖 Scriptures
Matthew 6:19–34; 1 Timothy 6:6–10; Proverbs 11:24–28; Luke 12:22–34
#TalkinBible #SermonOnTheMount #SeekFirst #TreasureInHeaven #Mammon #LiliesAndBirds
🎵 Music Credit
“Grace” by Simon Folwar
Free download: https://uppbeat.io/track/simon-folwar/grace
License code: HVWTB7YMYCU2SBPQ