Worldly Possessions – JSS2 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Worldly possessions are material things owned on earth, such as buildings, cars, money and industrial machinery.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. State what worldly possessions are and give examples.
2. Explain what Jesus taught about worldly possessions in Matthew 6:19-24.
3. Compare treasures on earth with treasures in heaven.
4. List ways a Christian can use material wealth.
5. Explain what Jesus taught about anxiety in Matthew 6:25-34.

What are worldly possessions? (Matthew 6:19-24)

Worldly possessions are material wealth on earth, such as buildings, cars, money and industrial machinery.

• Buildings: houses, shops, estates and offices.
• Vehicles: cars, buses, motorcycles and lorries.
• Money: cash, savings and investments.
• Machinery: industrial equipment, generators and farm machines.
• Clothing and jewellery: expensive clothes, gold and other valuables.

What are the key terms in this topic?

• Materialism: placing too much value on money and possessions.
• Mammon: a word for wealth or riches, shown as a master that people serve.
• Anxiety: worry or fear about the needs of life, such as food and clothing.
• Treasure: anything a person values highly and works hard to keep.

What did Jesus teach about worldly possessions?

Jesus taught that too much attention to material wealth harms spiritual and moral growth, so people should seek God first in all things.

• Treasure in heaven (verses 19-21): earthly treasure can be destroyed or stolen, but heavenly treasure is safe.
• Where your treasure is: your heart will be there also.
• The eye as the lamp of the body (verses 22-23): a person who looks to God has a life full of light.
• Two masters (verse 24): no one can serve God and mammon at the same time.
• Eternal life: paying attention to heavenly things qualifies people for eternal life in the kingdom of God.

What is the difference between earthly and heavenly treasure?

Earthly treasure is material wealth gathered on earth, such as money, houses and cars.

Heavenly treasure is the reward God gives for faith, love and good deeds, such as helping the poor.

Why can we not serve God and mammon together?

We cannot serve God and mammon together because each demands full loyalty, as a servant cannot obey two masters.

• Divided loyalty: a person who loves money may neglect prayer, church and good deeds.
• Wrong choices: love of money can lead to stealing, cheating, bribery and corruption.
• Loss of everything: earthly wealth can be destroyed, so a person who trusts only in it is left with nothing.

What are the dangers of too much attention to material wealth?

The main danger is that it weakens a person’s spiritual and moral life.

• Greed: wanting more and more without being satisfied.
• Pride: looking down on people who have less.
• Dishonesty: using wrong means to get rich quickly.
• Selfishness: refusing to help the needy.
• Neglect of God: having no time for worship and prayer.

What should we do with material wealth?

A Christian should use material wealth to serve God and other people.

1. Use your wealth to help the needy and the poor.
2. Donate to the community or your church.
3. Visit the sick in hospitals and prisoners, and do other good works, and God will bless you.
4. Pay more attention to God and other heavenly things.

What did Jesus teach about anxiety? (Matthew 6:25-34)

Jesus taught that Christians should not be anxious about their basic needs, because God cares for them and will supply what they need.

• Life is more than food and clothing (verse 25): do not worry about what to eat, drink or wear.
• Birds of the air (verse 26): they do not sow or reap, yet God feeds them. People are worth more than birds.
• Worry adds nothing (verse 27): no one can add a single hour to life by worrying.
• Lilies of the field (verses 28-30): God clothes the grass of the field, so He will clothe His people.
• Little faith: worry shows weak trust in God.
• Seek first the kingdom of God (verse 33): when God comes first, other needs are provided.
• Do not worry about tomorrow (verse 34): each day has enough trouble of its own.

What lessons can Christians learn from this teaching?

• Trust God: He knows what we need before we ask.
• Work with faith: trusting God does not excuse laziness.
• Avoid materialism: it disturbs spiritual and moral growth.
• Put God first: daily needs are secondary to the kingdom of God.

Evaluation

1. What are worldly possessions? Give four examples.
2. What did Jesus teach about worldly possessions in Matthew 6:19-24?
3. State two differences between earthly treasure and heavenly treasure.
4. Why can a person not serve God and mammon at the same time?
5. What did Jesus teach about anxiety in Matthew 6:25-34?

Assignment

List four ways a Christian can use material wealth, and explain why Jesus advised Christians not to be anxious about their basic needs.