CC 07: Treasure In Heaven

Commentator William Barclay tells the following story of the Early Church in Rome during the Decian persecution of AD 250:136

“The Early Church always lovingly cared for the poor, and the sick, and the distressed, and the helpless, and those for whom no one else cared. In the days of the terrible Decian persecution in Rome, the Roman authorities broke into a Christian Church. They were out to loot the treasures which they

believed the Church to possess. The Roman prefect demanded from Laurentius, the deacon: “Show me your treasures at once.” Laurentius pointed at the widows and orphans who were being fed, the sick who were being nursed, and the poor whose needs were being supplied, “These,” he said, “are the treasures of the Church.”

Would you say this is the current mindset of the church today? Or your mindset personally? This morning, we tackle one of Jesus’ most challenging teachings yet, and it all begins with the question: What is your relationship with money?