*Matthew 6:19-34
Jesus advises against worry and encourages trust in God’s provision for basic needs.
- Treasures in Heaven
- Jesus advises against storing up earthly treasures that can be destroyed or stolen.
- Instead, he urges people to focus on accumulating treasures in heaven, which are lasting and secure.
- The eyes serve as a metaphor for one’s focus and intentions; if they are set on worldly possessions, the heart will follow, leading to spiritual darkness.
- It’s impossible to serve both God and wealth simultaneously, as one will inevitably prioritize one over the other.
- Do Not Worry
- Jesus reassures his disciples not to worry about their material needs, such as food, drink, or clothing.
- He points to the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, which are cared for by God without any effort on their part, as examples of God’s provision and care.
- Worrying cannot add a single moment to one’s life, nor can it change one’s circumstances significantly.
- Instead, Jesus advises seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that all necessary provisions will be added unto them.
- Each day has enough trouble of its own, so there’s no need to borrow trouble from the future by worrying excessively about it.
Matthew 6:19-34 teaches us to trust God instead of worrying about money, possessions, or the future. Jesus reminds us that true treasure is not in wealth but in a close relationship with God. He encourages us to focus on what really matters—loving God and seeking His kingdom—because He will take care of our needs. Just as He provides for the birds and flowers, He will provide for us. This passage reminds us to let go of worry and trust God each day, knowing He is always in control.
Matthew 6:19-34 (WEB)
6:19 “Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is 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 else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon. 25 Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they?27 “Which of you by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan? 28 Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin, 29 yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith?31 “Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.