Sermon on the Mount - Treasures

(Matthew 6:19-21)

By Mary Jane Chaignot

Categories: Sermon on the Mount, Sermon on the Mount (Bible Study)

Next, Jesus continues to discuss some of the everyday concerns that might derail his disciples.
The first one has to do with treasures.
Jesus says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth….”
People have long believed that prosperity is a sign of God’s favor.
In an attempt to project wealth, some people accumulate treasures illegitimately.
This has always been denounced by prophetic voices.
Here, Jesus warns about accumulating earthly treasures.
They oftentimes give a false sense of security.
The Greek word for “Do not store” relates to “treasure.”
A literal translation would be: “Do not treasure up for yourselves treasure on earth.”
“Treasure” here means whatever is valuable to you.
It doesn’t have to mean just money.
It is whatever enslaves, whatever is sought that provides security.
Typically, however, treasure often does just the opposite.
Treasure creates a great deal of anxiety. People have to get more; they have to secure what they have.
Nonetheless, all earthly treasures are subject to destruction or loss.
There can be lots of problems with them; Jesus mentions three.
These are all examples of decay.
“Moth and rust destroy….”
A moth is nature’s corrosion. Even the tiniest moth can destroy the most elegant fabrics.
Rust really means “eating.”
Rust is time’s corrosion. Rust isn’t just a problem with metals; it can also destroy crops and vines as the chemicals eat them away.
Jesus is basically warning them not to obsess about clothing and food.
Moths and rust represent all the natural elements that render earthly treasures to break down and eventually lose their purpose.
A third concern is when “thieves break in and steal….”
Thieves are humanity’s corrosion; they take from others to benefit themselves.
There are more examples that Jesus might have used, but these three indicate the transitory nature of earthly treasures.
Jesus wants to liberate us from all that.
He wants to liberate us from a misspent life.
He is not trying to remove these desires; again, he is redirecting them.
He is saying, “Store up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
Here again, the wording means, “Start treasuring treasures in heaven.”
“In heaven” is directly opposite to “on earth.” But it does not mean waiting for the afterlife.
“In heaven” can mean “with God,” so “treasuring heavenly treasures” means working with God at one’s side.
He does not specify what these treasures would be, but doing good for others is a main theme of the Sermon.
“Trust in heaven, be successful before the Father, please Him.”
He doesn’t try to quash the ambition to acquire treasures; he tries to elevate it.
He is truly appealing to the adventure of faith. This is not asceticism, it is athleticism.
He acknowledges the very close relationship between one’s heart and one’s treasure.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
The heart is not considered to be the center of feelings; it is the core of one’s being.
People thought of the heart much the same way we think today of the brain.
Their understanding of heart had to do with motive, direction, and source.
It is clear that one’s goals are often like gods.
If our goal is to impress people, then our center will be people and their admiration.
If our goal is to please the Father, then our center will be the Father and His honor.
Goals determine actions.
Goals, even the most laudable ones, have to be lodged in a real relationship with God. Otherwise, they are always subject to the disappointments of earthly decay.
Even the loftiest aspiration, if rooted in human esteem, is misspent.
Only a goal which seeks exclusively to please the Father is safe from human vanity and decay.

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