F. Jesus' Teachings About Money in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)

• We recognize our own spiritual poverty and our utter dependence on God (5:3).

• We live a modest and humble life (5:5).

• We eagerly long for more of God’s righteousness and justice for all (5:6).

• We show mercy toward those who are oppressed and in need (5:7).

• We are loving and generous even toward those who take advantage of us (5:38-42).

• We do not do our acts of charity in order to be praised by others (6:1-4).

• We pray that God’s rule will prevail everywhere, and that all of God’s children will have their needs met every day. (6:9-11).

• We invest in God’s eternity-based economy (by giving to those in need, Luke 12:33, 18:22) rather than storing up wealth we can’t take with us (6:19-23).

• We despise materialism (Mammon) and offer our single-minded love and loyalty to God (6:22-24).

• Like the “birds of the air,” we refuse to worry about having enough to eat or wear, trusting that if we, like the birds, do our part, God will provide (6:25-27).

• We see ourselves as much more beautiful and valuable in God’s eyes than the “lilies of the field,” and so are not compelled to buy more things to make us more attractive or worthful (6:28-32).

• We seek to live under God’s rule and standards of what it right and just, trusting God to provide for our basic needs (6:33-34).