Matthew 6:19-24, Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Comments

Jesus is concerned about his disciples’ loyalty. Material wealth leads to materialism that establishes no permanent satisfaction or security. His metaphor of a “single,” healthy eye is about our exclusive loyalty to God and alludes to an eye of generosity detached from material concern. The body represents a whole life with the healthy eye leading it into a purposeful life for God. The bad eye is selfish and materialistic and blind to the purposes of God.

Jesus warns that we cannot be a slave of money and our possessions when we are loyal to God. How are you managing this balance in your life? When you look at your bank account and credit card statement, what does the evidence say?

Prayer

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. For everything in heaven and on earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all.

1 Chronicles 29:11