Matthew 6:19-34

 

We continue to explore Jesus’ teachings, often called the Sermon on the Mount. As Jesus spoke to His disciples and followers, He illuminated their souls. His words touched their hearts as well as ours. He urges us to focus on things that last forever—things that are eternal—rather than temporary worldly possessions. People at that time faced their own temptations; indeed, they didn't have the Internet, TV, or many distractions that have corrupted the character of many today. Still, they faced things that pulled their hearts into deep darkness. I believe that if they could somehow see into the future and observe our lives today, with all the possessions of the 21st century—even among believers—they would be stunned. They would likely find our lives so complicated and filled with so many things that it would seem unbelievable to them that sin has become accepted in our culture. I wonder how many of them would trade their lives for a life in the 21st century.

 

The Danger of a Wasted Life: Lessons from Imelda Marcos

 

President Ferdinand Marcos became president of the Philippines in 1965, crediting his wife, Imelda, with helping him win the election. Imelda was highly admired by many poor people in the country, perhaps because she had been a beauty queen in her youth. The Philippines experienced severe economic hardship after the Marcos government stole an estimated 5-10 billion dollars from the country, holding the Guinness World record for the greatest government robbery. After mass protests in 1986, Ferdinand agreed to step down as president. The couple soon fled to Hawaii, where they spent years in exile. Imelda left many of her belongings at Malacañang Palace, prompting the press to report on her massive wardrobe. Imelda’s shoe collection reportedly totaled 3,000 pairs. Her wardrobe also included 15 mink coats, 508 gowns, 888 handbags, and a bulletproof bra. Many of Imelda’s shoes are now on display at the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila. I wonder how many of those who gained great wealth ever reflect on a wasted life and vain pursuits. It was Johann Goethe who said, "A wasted life is an early death." The most important thing one can leave behind is the impact they have had on others’ lives. This was Jesus' focus in the Sermon on the Mount—making an impact on those around you through your character, your relationship with God, and your relationships with others.

 

In our last study on Matthew 6:1-18, we examined the Lord’s encouragement for us to maximize our rewards for the end of the age when the Harvest of the Earth comes (Mark 4:29; Rev 14:15). In Matthew 6, verses 19-34, the Lord continues this theme, emphasizing the types of actions that can influence our eternity and those around us. We can become so focused on happiness in this life that we forget to store up for our eternal well-being. The pursuit of happiness is a core value for Americans, but should a person's life be wasted just serving themselves and trying to make themselves "happy"? How many shoes did Imelda get before she felt "happy," if she ever did? Should we chase after the temporary comforts of this world? I argue that our true pursuit, especially if you are a follower of Christ, is to bring glory to God—Jesus said we are to lose our self-life and follow His example. “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work (John 4:34). What the Lord is emphasizing is that true satisfaction comes from doing God’s will. If that is true for Him, how much more for those who walk with Him? There should be no regrets for God’s children as they near their twilight years. Let’s first look at verses 19-21:

 

What Does it Mean to Lay Up Treasures in Heaven?

 

¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21).

 

Life is about serving others. Happy is the person who isn’t focused on material comfort but instead on helping people find salvation and grow in Christ. The true treasure is investing in reaching and influencing others for God. I pray that each of us will have loved ones in eternity who will come and thank us for reaching out to them. Life often steals the treasures we accumulate in this world. In the New Testament era, valuable items included finely crafted clothing. Such clothes signified status and could provoke envy. A beautiful Babylonian robe was what led Achan to sin in the fall of Jericho (Joshua 7:21); he was stoned to death for his disobedience to God. The desire for silver and fine clothes also caused the servant of Elisha to sin and become leprous (2 Kings 5:22). The Lord used the metaphor of moths that could damage expensive clothing stored away for a special occasion.

 

In New Testament times, storing one's silver and gold in a bank was uncommon; instead, it was often hidden in a safe box away from the town. However, those who suspected someone of having silver and gold would watch them and then dig it up later. When homes were not as structurally sound as they are now, robbers would also dig under the walls of a wealthy man's house and steal his wealth while he was away. Jesus advised us to store up the kind of treasure that no one can steal, that cannot be corrupted. I wonder if Imelda was happy with her life while her people experienced great poverty. It is reported that many of her 3,000 shoes rotted away from a leaking roof after being stored in shoeboxes at the National Museum. Happy is the man who has stored up his time, energy, talents, gifts, and money in things that will be rewarded in heaven. Jesus said that our hearts follow our values and investments in this world (v. 21). Where our treasure is, our hearts will be focused. What you value as “treasure” shows the present condition of your inner person, your character. We need to understand that it is not things that steal our hearts but the love of things, chasing after what can never truly satisfy. It is not about the number of possessions we have, but our treasures tend to possess us.

 

What would you consider the eternal treasures one can take with them when they leave this life?

 

The Eye is the Lamp: Developing a Biblical Worldview

 

The Lord now shifts His focus from the heart to what you allow your eyes to see—how you perceive life in this present evil world system we live in. Do you view life with eternity in mind, or are you convinced that there is no life beyond the grave? The worldview you hold influences your life. Are you the one in control of your life, or is God the One sitting on the throne of your life? Here’s how Jesus expressed it:

 

²² “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! ²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:22-24).

 

When I left commercial fishing to follow the Lord wholeheartedly, I started my own business by cleaning windows to provide for my family. It gave me the freedom to manage my time for church planting. People would see me cleaning their next-door neighbor's windows and come out to ask me to do theirs as well. They were surprised at how much light entered their homes once their windows were cleaned. The eyes are the windows of the soul, the instrument that allows light into the inner person. Some people refuse to open their window blinds. They prefer darkness and control how much biblical light they let in, sometimes even refusing to hear anything that challenges their worldview. Let the light in, and the whole body will be filled with light. Our windows can become distorted by what we see through them. During Jesus' time, prejudices against Samaritans and Gentiles distorted how Jews viewed other people. We can also allow prejudices to cloud our perspective of others. Examples of unhealthy eyes include jealousy of others and the arrogance of thinking we are more important than others.

 

The amount of light or darkness we allow into our souls is often one of the first areas the evil one targets. The enemy prompts thoughts to view something unhealthy for our souls that should trigger alarm bells in our hearts if we are spiritually alert. The attack varies for each of us. What draws a second look for one person may not affect another. For example, I do not pay a second glance at what shoes someone wears, but clearly, Imelda Marcos valued such things greatly. The temptation often begins with small things, gradually gaining momentum until the windows of the eyes become shutters to the light.

 

When we refuse to let the light shine into our hearts, our eyes become darkened, just as our hearts do. Jesus said, “But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (v. 23). An article published in 2020 by the American Academy of Ophthalmology lists 20 health problems detected during routine eye exams, including heart disease, stroke, various cancers, diabetes, medication toxicities, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The article explains that your eyes are windows into the active state of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues throughout your body. Problems identified in the eye are often the first signs of disease elsewhere.

 

Can evil be seen in a person's eyes? Although we try not to judge others by appearance, evil can sometimes be recognized spiritually. Some interviewers, when talking to murderers or serial killers, have noticed a flat or lifeless look in their eyes. The people who interview them often describe a coldness and even get chills during the encounter. Where does this come from? It is a strong testimony to the reality of evil.

 

If we could have interviewed the man called Legion in Mark 5, who was restored to sanity after the demon was cast out, I wonder what he would have told us about his previous state and how he ended up that way. Likely, he would say that it was a condition that came upon him gradually through incremental sin that he allowed. Give the enemy an inch, and he'll take a yard; give him a yard, and he will want a mile. Sin offers only temporary pleasure, followed by guilt, regret, and condemnation. These are extreme examples I mention here, but I bring them up to highlight that good and evil are real and present in the world around us, and it’s wise not to let sin enter the door of your life.

 

What we dedicate ourselves to will influence not only our perceptions but also shape our character and the people we are becoming. The enemy can only succeed if we give our consent. Be cautious about what you agree to. Learn to open your eyes to the Light of Life fully—seek Christ and His righteousness. Jesus used the analogy of two masters. He's not referring to two bosses in different jobs; he's speaking about bondservants in the time of the New Testament. If you were a bondslave, you belonged entirely to one master and did everything your master required. If a person lives for money and high status, then wealth becomes a harsh taskmaster, and endless stress over losing possessions often follows.

 

According to our Lord here, these earthly, worldly things tend to become our gods. We serve them; we love them. Our hearts are captivated by them; we are at their service. What are they? They are the very things that God, in His kindness, has given man so that they might serve him and that he may enjoy life while he is in this world... What a tragedy; he bows down and worships at the shrine of things meant to be at his service. Things meant to serve him have become his master. Jesus warns us categorically not to serve two masters. You cannot love God as well as money or treasures of this world (v. 24).

 

Overcoming Anxiety: Why Jesus Says "Do Not Worry"

 

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matthew 6:25-27).

 

What worries you the most? How can your understanding of God’s love and care help reduce that worry?

 

True peace within is knowing who you are and who owns you. The best remedy for worry and anxiety is to cast all your cares on Christ, with a deep understanding that He cares for you. When we know that the Lord Jesus owns us and we understand the immense riches we have been given in Christ, this is the most effective way to combat worry and chase anxiety and fear from our minds.

 

²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:28-34).

 

When our treasures—our valuable possessions in this life—are focused solely on how much we can accumulate, then stress, fear, and worries can infect our eternal souls. There was a time in my life, before I became a Christian, when all I wanted was to have a decent home and a family. When the Lord came into my life, everything changed. I became concerned for those who did not know the God who had changed my life. By the time I was 21, I was privileged to have my own commercial fishing boat, a home, a nice car, a motorbike, and a substantial bank account. I guess people envied me and wanted what I had, but I was never truly satisfied. When the challenge came to me to leave my fishing career and follow Jesus, I started to wonder—what would I do? How would I provide for myself? What would I wear? How would I pay the mortgage? These are the kinds of worries that can creep up on anyone and bring fear, worry, and anxiety into life, as they did for me. At this stage of my life, I thank God that I gave up my fishing boat, my house, my girlfriend, and my bike and chose to follow Christ to labor in His harvest.

 

Somehow, I don’t think the Lord wore Armani shoes or the richly ornamented robes of His time. The Lord uses the example of wildflowers on the hillside beside the crowd to show that Solomon was not dressed better than the flowers of the field. They did not spin wool or cotton to make their beauty; they didn't strain or stress themselves in their growth. Worry can drain our hope, but we should remind ourselves that God has seen the end from the beginning. He views each of us in the present moment, knows the decisions we make, and can change our future accordingly. So, don't let your choices hinder what God is calling you to do in the future. God is fully capable of providing for you and me. He is already there in the future with your provision for what He has called you to do.

 

My father was one of the most well-known and beloved commercial fishermen on the east coast of England. His first fishing boat was called Why Worry, a name that reflected his outlook on life: nothing seemed to bother him—he was always doing things other fishermen wouldn't dare. Did you ever want to be like your father? Unfortunately, some of us can't look up to our fathers and take them as role models. My father wasn't perfect, and neither is anyone else, but he left me a legacy of living life worry-free and trusting that everything will be okay. Thank God for Jesus, who has shown us a way to live free from fear and to step out in faith.

 

How do we prioritize the kingdom of God in our daily choices? How can doing this help us stop worrying about tomorrow?

 

Matthew 6:33 – Seeking First the Kingdom of God

 

At the beginning of our study, we asked: What would you say are the eternal treasures one can take with them when they leave this life? Let’s discuss some answers to this question.

 

1) The Word of God, which we have stored in our hearts.

 

2) The people we have witnessed to and been used to influence them into a relationship with Christ.

 

3) The love of God.

 

4) The good works that God ordained for us to do. (“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10).

 

5) The spiritual rewards promised to the believer- “what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

 

Let's reflect on these thoughts about eternal treasures and let them resonate. In the passage above, the Apostle Paul tells us that in our wildest dreams, we can't even begin to imagine what awaits those who love God in eternity.

 

📖 Small Group Discussion Guide: Treasures & Trust

 

Use these questions to help your group bridge the gap between 1st-century Scripture and 21st-century life.

 

1. The "Heart" Inventory Jesus says, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (v. 21). If a stranger looked at your bank statement or your phone’s "Screen Time" report from last week, what would they conclude is your most valuable "treasure" right now?

 

2. The "Window" of the Soul Cleaning physical windows lets light into a home. Jesus says the eye is the "lamp of the body" (v. 22). In our world of constant social media and advertising, what are the specific "smudges" or distractions that make it hard for you to see life through a clear, eternal lens?

 

3. The "Two Masters" Conflict We often try to serve God and something else (security, reputation, or comfort). Can you share a time when you felt the "tug-of-war" between trusting God’s provision and trying to control your own financial or social "safety net"? How did you handle that tension?

 

4. The "Worry" Audit Jesus points to the birds and lilies to show God’s care. Verse 27 asks if worry can add a single hour to our lives. Since we know it can't, why is it so hard to stop? What is one specific "tomorrow" worry you are willing to surrender to the group for prayer tonight?

 

My closing prayer is that this becomes a habit in your life—to seek first for God’s kingdom to be done in your life and in the lives of those around you.

 

Keith Thomas

 

Website: www.groupbiblestudy.com

 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keiththomas7/videos

 

Email: keiththomas@groupbiblestudy.com