WHERE IS YOUR TREASURE?
Luke 15:1-10
INTRODUCTION: When we chose to stop noticing our blessings we quit appreciating them. When we quit appreciating our blessings we stop thanking those who have brought them to us. It is when we stop giving thanks for our many blessings that we start complaining about our lives: Luke 15:3-7. I wonder how long it had been for the lady that lost one of her ten coins since she had thanked God for her ten coins? Luke 15:8-9. As we enter into the parable of the lost son, I wonder “How long had it been since that son thanked the Lord for his many blessings in his father’s house? Luke 15:11-16. It was because that boy was unthankful for his many blessings that he threw them all away. Sadly, often we have to lose our blessings before we realize how thankful we should be for them: Luke 15:17-24. Yes, even the non-prodigal son suffered from an unthankful heart: Luke 15:26-31. This is a warning for all of God’s children. It is so easy for us to start complaining and to stop being thankful for our many blessings: 1 Timothy 6:17-19; 1 Corinthians 4:7. How can we learn to stay thankful to our heavenly Father for His many blessings?
I. THE REFERENCE POINT OF THEORETICALLY TRADING PLACES?
Do you understand that 90% of the earth’s population who be thrilled to trade places with you right now? God does not want us to feel guilty about our many blessings but He does want us to remain thankful for those blessings and to be willing to help others: 1 Peter 4:10-11.
II. THE REFERENCE POINT OF REMEMBERING WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO DO WITHOUT!
Stirring up our memories of times when we lacked will create a reference point for thanking our heavenly Father for everything He has blessed us with now! 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
III. THE REFERENCE POINT OF LOSING AND RECOVERING BLESSINGS!
Many times it is not until we have lost our blessings of health, family, work, or past joys that we learn not to take them for granted. The older prodigal son was not thankful for what remaining with his father meant for his future: Luke 15:28-31.
IV. THE REFERENCE POINT OF COMPARISON WITH A WORSE SITUATION!
Oh it is so sad that we often become complainers about things that are truly blessings from our God. 2 Corinthians 10:12.
V. THE REFERENCE POINT OF EXPERIENCES THAT HAVEN’T HAPPENED TO US YET!
Sometimes we just have to give thanks to God for some misfortunes that have not yet touched our lives. As we chose to thank our God for not allowing some misfortunes to touch our lives that have touched others we can learn again to live with thankful hearts. We need to be thankful that we live in a nation where we are not treated the way the apostle Paul was: 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. Yes, we have much to be thankful for! Let me just ask: “How thankful are you to God for His blessings in your life? How long since you gave thanks to God for saving your soul? Isaiah 55:1-3. We need to praise our God for putting His Holy Spirit into our hearts: John 7:37-39. How long has it been since you thanked your heavenly Father for allowing His only begotten Son to bear your sins in His body? John 3:16-21. How long has it been since you gave thanks to God for the New Heavens and New Earth He has promised to you Revelation 21:1-7. You see, just like the prodigal son who stayed in his father’s house, we will inherit all our Father in heaven has as well.