Matthew 6:19–34

The Cure for Anxious Care
Matthew 6:19–34

Love God Above All (19–24)
Loving God above all is more than a calling; it is a benefit to authentic Christ-followers, for doing so frees them from the tyranny of material things. There is no ultimate security in the material. “Moth,” “rust” and “thieves” illustrate some of those threats to worldly security. The word for “rust” probably should be translated “eating,” referring to the consuming of stored clothing or food by mice or other pests.

Some translations of verses 22 and 23 imply that Jesus is concerned about the soundness and clarity of the eye (RSV, NRSV, NASB). However, cursory study of these verses could cause some to misunderstand the message. The King James Version is better with its literal rendering: “If your eye is single … if your eye is evil.” In the Old Testament, there are references to persons being single-eyed. The single-eyed person is someone who is generous or liberal in giving (see, for instance, Prov. 22:9). Paul uses the noun form of the word “single” to refer to those who contribute liberally (Rom. 12:8; 2 Cor. 8:2; 2 Cor. 9:11–13). James uses the adverb form to refer to God who gives generously. When Jesus refers to someone having a single eye, He is referring to someone who gives to others with openhearted generosity.

In contrast to the single eye is the evil eye. In Scripture, the evil eye refers to a stingy or envious spirit (Prov. 23:6, 28:22; Deut. 15:9). Jesus uses the expression in His parable of the laborers in the vineyard. The vineyard owner paid all of the workers the same amount, regardless of how long they had worked. When those who had worked longer began to complain, the owner asked them, “Is your eye evil because I am good?” Rather than follow these begrudging laborers, Jesus calls us to be single-eyed, sharing the light of the gospel freely and without selfish motives.

Trust God for All (25–32)
These verses begin with the word “therefore,” thus tying this section to the one just before it. Having clarified that we cannot serve two masters, Jesus calls His servants to look to their Master and trust that He will give them what they need. This call to trust in Him is the answer to our tendency to worry. When we have found the greater security in God, we can trust Him for our needs.

Jesus makes a few remarks about worry. First, worry is irreverent, because it fails to acknowledge the God who gave us life and is sustaining it. Worry is also irrelevant: it does not change things nor does it help us to cope with problems. Worry is also irresponsible, because it zaps us of energy without using it for some positive, constructive purpose. Jesus uses the birds of the air to highlight freedom from anxiety, the lilies of the field to illustrate freedom from status-seeking and the grass of the field to illuminate our need to set proper priorities. In verse 27, He declares that by worry, we cannot add to our span of life; indeed we may even limit it.

Seek God Before All (33–34)
In verse 33, Jesus is not saying that if we seek first the kingdom of heaven, then we are due all kinds of material bounty. If we are truly seeking the kingdom, then we will be indifferent to material prosperity (see Phil. 4:12). Jesus is assuring those who submit themselves to God’s reign that they will have all they need. This is the way to know true security and the peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7). Verse 34 adds the admonition against borrowing tomorrow’s troubles for today. Jesus does not forbid planning ahead, but He does warn against burdening today with stress over unknown problems in the future. God alone knows the future, and we must trust that He will get us through all of the “unknowns.” We must sing with genuine faith that “I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.”

It is worth noting that, in context, verses 25–34 are addressed to the “poor” — those whom Jesus was addressing particularly in the Beatitudes. Among these were those who had “left everything” to follow the Master (Matt. 19:27). Here is the most assuring word to His followers: their destiny is in His hands.