The Lure of a Lesser Loyalty

In this message on Matthew 6:19–24, Chuck Swindoll confronts the subtle danger of spiritual erosion—the gradual drift from a total commitment to Christ toward the "lesser loyalty" of material wealth. Swindoll begins by grounding the listener in Psalm 139, establishing that every life is an "open book" before God. Because God’s omniscience has no blind spots, believers cannot hide secret sins or greedy motives from Him [10–12]. Turning to the Sermon on the Mount, Swindoll highlights three sharp contrasts Jesus uses to force a decision: two treasures (earthly vs. heavenly), two visions (clear vs. bad eyes), and two masters (God vs. wealth). He clarifies that Jesus is not forbidding the ownership of property or wise planning (like insurance), but rather the selfish accumulation of "stuff" that begins to own the owner [15–18]. The sermon warns that no one is immune to this drift—not seminaries, churches, or individuals. Swindoll cites biblical examples like Gehazi and Demas who were lured away by the world, as well as the heartbreaking story of hymn writer Robert Robinson. The message concludes with a call to identify one's true Master, challenging listeners to stop the erosion, return to the "quiet place," and refuse to serve the "wicked master" of materialism [6–8, 23, 30–31].

Message Key Facts:

• The "Bookends" of the Text: Swindoll points out that this passage begins with a warning ("Do not" store up treasures) and ends with a factual impossibility ("You cannot" serve two masters).
• The Nature of Erosion: Spiritual drift is described as subtle, slow, and silent. It is often a surprise when a person or institution that once stood for truth suddenly finds themselves far off course [5–6].
• The Cost of Sin: Swindoll reiterates a motto taped to his own computer: "Sin will take you farther than you want to go, it will keep you longer than you want to stay, and it will cost you more than you want to pay".
• Defining "Master": In the Roman context, a "master" was not merely a boss who paid a salary, but an owner of slaves. A person can have multiple jobs (bosses), but they can only be owned by one Master. Therefore, serving both God and wealth is impossible.
• Sir Greed: Swindoll quotes Martin Luther, who identified two "plagues" that arise whenever the Gospel is preached: false preachers who corrupt the teaching, and "Sir Greed," which obstructs right living.
• "Wicked Old Man": To illustrate that temptation has no age limit, Swindoll shares the prayer of Dr. James M. Gray (former president of Moody Bible Institute) who prayed with a colleague, "Oh God, don't let me become a wicked old man" [27–28].
• The Tragedy of Robert Robinson: Swindoll tells the story of the man who wrote the hymn "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" (containing the line "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it"). Years later, while drifting in his faith, Robinson encountered a woman on a stagecoach reading his own hymn. He wept, confessing, "I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn... and I’d give a thousand worlds... to enjoy the feelings I had back then" [29–30].
• A Clear vs. Bad Eye: Jesus uses the eye as a metaphor for how we view life. A "clear eye" views life through the lens of eternity and invisible treasures, while a "bad eye" is full of darkness, unable to gauge when "enough is enough" [21–22].

Message References:

• Matthew 6:19–24: The primary text contrasting earthly/heavenly treasures and the impossibility of serving two masters.
• Psalm 139: Used to establish that God searches the heart and knows all thoughts from afar ("Search me, O God").
• Hebrews 4:12–13: Describes the Word of God as a "critic of the thoughts and intentions of the heart," laying all things bare before Him.
• 1 Timothy 6:17: Referenced to balance the teaching, noting that God gives us "all things richly to enjoy," meaning enjoyment of possessions is not sin—serving them is.
• Colossians 3:1–4: "Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth".
• 1 Corinthians 10:12: "Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall".
• 2 Timothy 4:10: Referenced regarding Demas, who deserted Paul because he "loved this present world" [7–8].

Message Speaker:

Pastor Chuck Swindoll