Matthew 6:19-24
This is not a message to the masses. Just after his baptism, Jesus did teach and minister to the masses—and in Gentile-rich Decapolis no less—but then, however, he lays down the groundwork of what it means (and what it does not mean) to be one of his true followers. Jesus went to some extent to make sure he was speaking to disciples—hiking up into the mountain to lose those without resolve (look at Matthew 4:23-5:2). Much of the discussion in this passage is about the differences in behavior and expectation between following Jesus and following the Pharisees and other religious leaders. These verses, and this entire sermon, tell us how, not why, to be a dedicated follower of Jesus.
Similarly, this passage tells those who want to have a heart stayed on God, how to keep their hearts from straying—as is our tendency.
To his followers, then and now, Jesus says three things in this passage: (1) where you invest your resources, there will your heart be drawn, (2) your "eye" or focus determines who you are, and (3) you can, and will have only one true master. These three lessons combined, tell us how our hearts work for the purpose of keeping them focused on God. But let's look at one of them—where your treasure it, there will your heart be also.
Spend Your Resources Purposefully
First of all Jesus advises his disciples to store "treasure" in heaven. Most people spend their resources of time, energy and sometimes even health, to gain wealth and possessions. They invest themselves in building a kingdom for themselves on this earth. With all of their time and energy invested into something (all of themselves wrapped up in it), their earthly empire becomes precious to them—it is their treasure, so their heart is bound to it. But that kind of treasure does not last. Treasure down here rusts and decays, and others can take it from us. The end of all things upon earth is death and decay; and so the end of all those who have their heart anchored to worldly things is heartbreak.
We do a disservice if we make this "treasure" only about money. Note the context into which Christ spoke this. He was not talking about the heathen, materialistic Romans, or the vain Greeks. He was talking about the religious and legalistic Jews. A personal kingdom of adoration, respect, and success in ministry and religion is as much a personal kingdom as any.
Jesus says to store your treasure in heaven. This is not necessarily a promise of material wealth in heaven (although this is very possible, since the Bible uses such analogies frequently). Rather, we should invest in heaven because it is eternal, because there is neither separation nor mortality there, and most of all because as we invest in it our hearts will prize it more. We will be drawn to God as we pour ourselves into building his everlasting kingdom rather than our temporary one.
How then should we live? How are our hearts drawn heavenward? Jesus tells us in the discussion following this "seek first the kingdom of God." Build the kingdom. Invest in God’s work on Earth. Give your time and energy and material resources and words of encouragement and acts of love. Care for the poor and build the church. Do what Jesus would do—what he is doing through us.
This isn't primarily about giving your money to a church. Don't let anyone make your relationship with Jesus be about money. Paul tells us that if we give all our money away, and do not abide in the love of God, we have missed the point (1 Corinthians 13). If led to give, then give; but your Heavenly Father does not need your money. God desires you, first and foremost, as Romans 12:1 makes clear.
Where your treasure is, there you will be drawn. The sad fact is that we cannot expect to be desiring God if all of our time and effort is wrapped up in pursuit of things other than God. So if you wish to be a disciple of Jesus, spend yourself and your resources purposefully. Work on the kingdom God is building. Seek first the kingdom of God.
Under Grace,
John Fritz
John Fritz is the Volunteer Coordinator for Thoughtful Life Ministries and the primary author of the Thoughtful Life Journal, which is published weekly from March through September. The purpose of this blog is to challenge and encourage those who have a desire to cultivate a more meaningful walk with Christ. Visit our Homepage to learn more about the ministry and our annual two-week summer Discipleship Program for teens and young adults.