🔹 Story 1: The Rich Young Ruler Walked Away from Jesus
Main Characters: Jesus, rich young ruler
Story Summary: A wealthy man asked Jesus how to gain eternal life. Jesus told him to sell all he had and follow Him. The man went away sad because his heart was tied to his wealth.
Key Verses: Matthew 19:16–26; Mark 10:17–27
Theme Connection: Clinging to riches can keep a person from embracing the true treasure of eternal life with Christ.
🔹 Story 2: The Parable of the Rich Fool
Main Characters: Rich man, God
Story Summary: A rich man built bigger barns to store his wealth and planned to relax. But God called him a fool, for that very night his life would end—and his riches meant nothing.
Key Verses: Luke 12:13–21
Theme Connection: Earthly wealth is temporary—true treasure is found in being “rich toward God.”
🔹 Story 3: Zacchaeus Found Treasure in Christ
Main Characters: Zacchaeus, Jesus
Story Summary: As a wealthy tax collector, Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus. After meeting Him, he joyfully gave away half his possessions and repaid those he had cheated.
Key Verses: Luke 19:1–10
Theme Connection: Encountering Jesus shifts our values—earthly riches become tools for repentance and generosity.
🔹 Story 4: The Hidden Treasure and Pearl of Great Price
Main Characters: Man in a field, merchant
Story Summary: Jesus told two parables about people who discovered something of great value—a hidden treasure and a precious pearl—and sold everything they had to obtain it.
Key Verses: Matthew 13:44–46
Theme Connection: The Kingdom of God is the greatest treasure, worth surrendering all earthly gain.
🔹 Story 5: Ananias and Sapphira Loved Money More Than Truth
Main Characters: Ananias, Sapphira, Peter
Story Summary: This couple sold land and claimed to donate all the proceeds to the church but secretly kept some back. Their deceit led to immediate judgment.
Key Verses: Acts 5:1–11
Theme Connection: Love of money and dishonesty can corrupt worship—God values integrity over offerings.
🔹 Story 6: The Widow’s Mite Was Greater Than Riches
Main Characters: Widow, Jesus, temple crowd
Story Summary: A poor widow gave two small coins at the temple. Jesus declared her gift greater than all others because she gave from her lack, not abundance.
Key Verses: Mark 12:41–44; Luke 21:1–4
Theme Connection: True treasure is measured by sacrifice and heart, not the size of the gift.
🔹 Story 7: Paul Counted All Things as Loss for Christ
Main Characters: Paul, early believers
Story Summary: Paul had status, education, and influence. But he considered it all garbage compared to knowing Christ and gaining eternal life in Him.
Key Verses: Philippians 3:4–11
Theme Connection: Spiritual wealth in Christ surpasses all earthly accolades or possessions.
🔹 Story 8: The Church of Laodicea Thought They Were Rich
Main Characters: Jesus, Laodicean believers
Story Summary: Jesus rebuked the church at Laodicea, who claimed to be rich but were spiritually poor. He urged them to buy true riches—refined faith, righteousness, and sight—from Him.
Key Verses: Revelation 3:14–22
Theme Connection: Earthly wealth can blind us to our spiritual poverty—Jesus offers lasting treasure.
🔹 Story 9: The Rich Man and Lazarus
Main Characters: Lazarus (beggar), unnamed rich man, Abraham
Story Summary: A rich man lived in luxury, ignoring Lazarus at his gate. After death, Lazarus was comforted in heaven, while the rich man suffered in torment.
Key Verses: Luke 16:19–31
Theme Connection: How we use wealth reveals our values—and eternal outcomes expose what we truly treasured.
🔹 Story 10: Jesus Taught to Store Treasures in Heaven
Main Characters: Jesus, disciples, crowds
Story Summary: Jesus warned against storing earthly wealth, which is temporary and vulnerable, and taught His followers to lay up treasure in heaven, where it lasts forever.
Key Verses: Matthew 6:19–24
Theme Connection: Our heart follows our treasure—what we value most reveals our true allegiance.
🔹 Key Bible Passages for the Theme
- Matthew 6:19–21
- Luke 12:15
- 1 Timothy 6:6–10, 17–19
- Proverbs 11:28
- James 5:1–5
- Ecclesiastes 5:10
- Colossians 3:1–2
- Hebrews 13:5
- Revelation 3:17–18
- Philippians 3:7–8