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Treasures On Earth - Matthew 6 19-21
Treasures On Earth - Matthew 6 19-21
Matthew 6:19-21 19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
This is another one of the many NOT – BUT passages. In trying to understand these, it is apparent that many, but not all, are ‘comparisons of importance’. For example, 1 Peter 3:3-4 3 Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.
Peter is NOT forbidding the putting on of clothes. The word ‘dresses’ in the NASB95 comes from a Greek word that appears many times in the NT and KJV translates as “garment” 30 times, “raiment” 12 times, “clothes” 12 times, “cloke” twice, “robe” twice, “vesture” twice, and “apparel” once.
So, it is to be understood here: NOT store up treasures on earth – BUT treasures in heaven. The problem is simply that of emphasis in one’s life – what do you TREASURE? It indeed takes some form of monetary measure in order to live in today’s world. Perhaps one could be so secluded that he provided everything without such, but even Jesus and the disciples had a ‘money bag’ in order to purchase needed provisions. Thus, with us and it now becomes a matter of our hearts. Loving God with all of heart – or serving ‘wealth’? You must then decide, and God will be the final judge, how much is enough? How shall I USE my time? How will I use the money that I am able to get? These are HARD questions! They make us uneasy – as they should. There is no absolute measuring stick for this. YET we must look into our hearts and decide. Jesus would add “you can NOT serve God and wealth (Matt. 6:24). On another occasion Jesus taught the same principle: Luke 16:9-13.
Where is your heart?
Hugh DeLong
