Matthew 6:19–34

Bible Studies for Life
Assistant Professor of Religion, Department of Religion, Samford University

Where Is Your Treasure?
Matthew 6:19–34
This week’s passage comes from the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus addressed His disciples, not the crowds. Matthew probably made this point to ensure that his readers apply the teachings to themselves.

Jesus’ discussion of wealth flowed from the stream of Israelite and Jewish attitudes, particularly the prophetic tradition. The authors of the Books of Deuteronomy through 1 Kings laid great emphasis on worship of Yahweh alone and worship only at the Temple in Jerusalem. Such an understanding stood out sharply against the faith systems of the ancient Near East. It was the prophets who said Israel could worship God alone but still violate His will as it was expressed in the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). Prophet after prophet condemned God’s people for profiting on the backs of the destitute. In later Jewish tradition, the poor would be considered righteous because they were poor. Why? They relied upon God, not their own wealth, for their daily existence.

Collect the Right Treasure (19–21)
Jesus’ words also fit within the tradition of the Greek and Roman moral philosophers, with some important differences. Remember Plato spread the view that the material world is changing and impermanent (rust and decay are common metaphors for this idea). For that reason, the material world is a poor shadow of what is unchanging and eternal and, hence, most real. For Jesus, however, “heaven” was not some disembodied existence but a creation that matched the heavens and earth that God had declared “very good” in the beginning (note the language “Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth” in Matthew 6:10). Plato could never say such a thing. Nevertheless Jesus agreed that “treasures on earth” are mere shadows of those unchanging and enduring “treasures in heaven.”  

Select the Right Master (22–24)
Paul used the same metaphors when he said now we see, as in a mirror, dimly. He was referring to the first century’s burnished bronze mirrors that poorly reflected their subjects, unlike today’s clear glass mirrors. Jesus wanted His disciples to understand His teachings about wealth.

The word “mammon” appears in Matthew and later Jewish sources, where it refers to riches. The idea that one cannot serve two masters is found throughout the Bible (see Joshua 24:15 and James 4:4). Jesus singled out riches but isn’t it true that one cannot serve God and anything else? Mammon, therefore, is such a powerful metaphor because it can refer to anything that dilutes devotion to God. What is it that you value? You can regard it as mammon when you begin to rely on it rather than God. Often we do this in such subtle ways that we are not even aware of it. For example, why is it that you follow Christ? Is it for happiness? Is it for peace of mind? Is it for some other reward? The question becomes then what is it that you want. Do you want happiness or God? If it is God, then serve for the sake of serving God. If happiness or peace comes, then God be praised. If they do not, then God be praised as well and God be served.

Reject Anxiety (25–34)
The phrase “anxiety is a mild form of atheism” is going around. As far as platitudes go, it’s not bad. It does have some resonance with Jesus’ admonition not to worry about what to eat, drink or wear. Remember that Jesus was speaking to people who, like most readers of this lesson, truly did not have to worry about these things. Yet later, Jesus would condemn those who call Him “Lord” yet do not provide these very things for those who do not know where they will get their next meal or drink and have suitable clothing (Matt. 7:21–23; 25:31–46). I think this is what Jesus was talking about when He said to “seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness.” For most of us, food, drink and clothing can be characterized as wants: We have these things and we simply must decide which we want right now. God has provided. To provide these things for those who truly need them, therefore, is to take up God’s care of the world as our own.