1. What is Your Most Prized Possession? Psalm 118:24: “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

2. Materialism & Contentment A little more personal: What one possession gets in the way of your spiritual life and spiritual growth? Is there one that causes you to stumble? For example: TV, computer, job, non-Christian family members.

3. Do not love the world I John 2:15-17: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of the life--is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

4. Where do you lay up your treasures? Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

5. Where do you lay up your treasures? On the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is talking about priorities. What ranks where on your list. Put your treasures in heaven, live faithfully and keep His commandments, God will provide. Matthew 10:28: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

6. Keeping up with the Joneses Parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21). No question he was rich, but also a fool. Put his trust in riches and himself. See ‘I’ six times in three verses. Job 1:21: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

7. Everything is God’s Psalm 104:24: “O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions.” Proverbs 3:9: “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase.”

8. What the unbeliever seeks Proverbs 1:13: “We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil.” Proverbs 1:19: “So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain.” Sinners are enticed by what worldly possessions have to offer.

9. What does contentment have to do with all this? Feeling or showing satisfaction with one’s possessions, status or situation. Paul speaks of contentment in I Timothy 6:6-11; Job 1:21. A godly life plus contentment equals true richness. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

10. Where do your treasures lie? Nice vacation = $3,000 New car = $20,000 New house = $150,000 Your soul = Priceless Can’t put a price tag on your soul. Unlike a car, house or your favorite outfit, your soul is irreplaceable.