Sermon Series Blog: That’s Unfair!
That’s Not Fair! (And Why That’s a Good Thing)
If you grew up with siblings, you know what it’s like to argue over the most ridiculous things. Whether it was who got the last piece of pie, who had to sit in the middle seat, or who got to be Player 1 on the Nintendo — it always ended with someone shouting, “That’s not fair!”
And let’s be honest — life hasn’t changed much since then.
We’ve all been there:
You study for two days, your buddy skims the notes the night before, and somehow they ace the test.
You wait in the shortest grocery line… only for the person ahead to need a price check on grapes.
The friend who eats junk 24/7 and somehow looks like they have a personal trainer.
Life isn’t fair.
And it’s not just about small stuff. Deep down, we wrestle with this in our faith too.
The Truth About Treasure
In Matthew 6, Jesus starts unpacking what it means to live a life for God — generosity, prayer, forgiveness, fasting — not for the applause of others but from a sincere heart. And then He drops a truth bomb that’s been on my heart heavy in 2025:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:19-21
Here’s the thing — most of us know this verse. We’ve heard it. Maybe even highlighted it. But it’s one thing to know it, and another to live it.
If we’re honest, the treasures of our culture are things like:
The next promotion
Social media clout
Comfort at all costs
Security and safety
Romantic relationships
Status, power, possessions
None of these are evil. But when they become ultimate things, they enslave us.
Jesus isn’t trying to rob us of joy — He’s offering us something better. Eternal treasure.
A Hard Conversation with Jesus
In Mark 10, a young man runs up to Jesus, asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus lists the commandments and the guy’s like, “Check, check, check — I’ve kept them all.”
Then Jesus drops the mic:
“One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have, give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” — Mark 10:21
And the young man walked away sad. Not because Jesus was cruel. But because the young man’s grip on his worldly treasure was tighter than his desire to follow God.
And if we’re honest, we get it. It’s tough to let go of the things we’ve built our identity, security, and comfort on.
What’s in Your Treasure Chest?
I’ll be real with you — I know my natural tendency is control. Like my dog when I hold out a treat and make him wait, I like being in charge of the timing, the plan, the outcome. But following Jesus means surrendering my closed fists and opening my hands.
A tight grip can’t receive new blessings. Open hands allow God to fill them.
I wonder — if you opened your treasure chest right now, what would be inside? Is it money? Success? A relationship? Control? Comfort?
Whatever it is, Jesus looks at you today — just like He did with that young man — and loves you enough to say, “There’s one thing you lack.”
It’s not because He wants to take something good away, but because He’s offering something better.
Following Jesus Costs Something — And It’s Worth It
Yes — salvation is a free gift, offered by grace. But following Jesus costs us control, comfort, and our worldly priorities. It’s not about earning heaven. It’s about surrendering the idols we’ve built our lives around.
Jesus said:
“How hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!… But with God, all things are possible.” — Mark 10:24-27
The disciples left everything — family, homes, livelihoods — because they found something better than this world could offer. And the same invitation is extended to us.
The Upside-Down Economy of God
The world says the first should be first. God says, the last will be first.
The world says hold on tight. God says let go.
The world says security comes from stuff. God says it comes from Me.
And here’s the promise:
Whatever you sacrifice for Him is never truly lost.
It might hurt to leave old treasures behind — but they don’t belong in the new life God’s preparing for you. What’s ahead is so much better.
This Week’s Challenge
Take some time this week to pray and ask God:
“What’s in my treasure chest?”
“What am I holding onto tighter than I hold onto You?”
“What do I need to surrender to make room for what You want to give me?”
Following Jesus isn’t about adding Him to your treasure chest.
It’s about emptying it at His feet and letting Him fill it with something eternal.
If this hit home for you — share it with a friend. Let’s keep the conversation going. I’d love to hear what God’s been showing you lately.
#TreasureGodAboveAllThings #SurrenderIsFreedom
