By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph. D.
Professor of Biblical Studies, University of Mobile
TREASURE
Matthew 6:19–34
As we end one calendar year and begin another, it is time to take stock of our priorities relating to our relationship with Jesus, family, work and church.
In this week’s portion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs us to realign our lives to reflect Kingdom living. As we begin, let us consider how we may glorify God as Kingdom citizens.
Possessions (19–24)
Moths can ruin clothing, particularly garments kept in storage. Rust and tarnish corrode metal objects. And what good is it to collect belongings when thieves can steal in moments that which took years to accumulate? Instead, Jesus calls us to invest in eternity. Whether we have few or many possessions, we must remember that this life is temporary, and so are the materials we claim as our own.
Where are our eyes focused? Jesus’ teachings often point back to God’s special revelation in the Old Testament. The Torah instructed Israel to position the commandments between their eyes, focusing on God’s words (Ex. 13:9; Deut. 6:8). Instead, eyes were focused elsewhere in the latter days of Judges: “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judg. 21:25, ESV). Qohelet, the title for the author of Ecclesiastes, warned against the empty nature of focusing on temporal pursuits: “Better what the eyes see than wandering desire” (Eccles. 6:9).
Whom do we serve? Everyone reading this article serves someone or something.
You may serve the interests of other people, yourself, other gods and their rituals or the One true God. Jesus warns against attempting to serve God along with the wealth you have accumulated.
Worry (25–30)
How would Jesus’ teaching have been heard in the first century? This sermon (Matt. 5–7) may be the same sermon recorded in Luke 6. If so, there were both poor (Luke 6:20) and rich (v. 24) among His audience. The endowed and the indigent had this in common: They worried about what they had and what they lacked.
Food, drink, clothing. Consider how significant context is to the way we perceive these words of Jesus. In an affluent culture, one might apply this teaching in terms of gourmet cuisine and designer clothing.
From a middle-class perspective, the focus may be whether there is enough money to go out to eat this week or purchase new school clothes. Those who live paycheck to paycheck might worry about whether to buy shoes or buy groceries.
The Father cares for the flora and fauna of this world, so the Father will certainly feed and clothe His own people who were created to reflect His image. He also confronts their lack of faith when they allow worry over temporal concerns to keep them from trusting Him.
Trust (31–34)
Worrying does not solve your dietary and fashion concerns. You’re acting like a heathen when you worry about these things. That’s what Jesus said! “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things.”
Instead, “seek first the Kingdom of God.” Throughout the sermon, He taught us to live (5:5, 10), approach Scripture (5:19), pray (6:9) and obey (7:21) with a Kingdom mindset. We are Kingdom citizens, so we must trust the King and “seek … His righteousness.”
God is righteous. Those who trust the King and what He says are counted as righteous (Gen. 15:6). Apart from Jesus, there is none righteous (Ps. 14:3).
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
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