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In this lesson:
Still on the Mount, Jesus talks about priorities (every word in this passage is Jesus speaking). This segment includes important teachings by Jesus. Treasures in heaven. Heavenly versus secular values (6:19-24). Read Matthew 6:25-34 when worried or afraid. It is an excellent source of comfort. Study Tip: "It shall greatly help to understand scripture if thou mark, not only what is spoken or written, but of whom, to whom, with what words, at what time, where, to what intent, and with what circumstances, considering what goes before and what follows." (Miles Coverdale 1488-1569) |
The Sermon on the Mount.
By an unknown artist. |
The Gospel According to St. Matthew
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Matthew 6:19-34
Money and worry 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. |
Margin notes:
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth." (6:19) - Since contentment comes with Godliness, we should "seek those things which are above (Colossians 3:1). Commit to Jesus and practice righteousness, faith, love, patience, good works, and gentleness. Adding these to your life, being a good Christian role model, and spreading the good news of Jesus (1 Timothy 6:6-16) is how to build a treasure in heaven. "Moth and rust doth corrupt." (6:19) - "Moths and rust destroy." "If therefore thine eye be single." (6:22) - "Therefore if your eye is healthy." Jesus repeats this message in Luke 11:34. See questions one and two below. "If thine eye be evil." (6:23) - "If your eye is not good." "If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness." (6:23) - "If the light in you is really darkness." "No man can serve two masters." (6:24) - We cannot serve spiritual and material things at the same time. Jesus reinforces this teaching in Luke 16:13. "He will hold to the one." (6:24) - "He will be devoted to one." "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (6:24) - "You can't serve God and money." "Take no thought for your life." (6:25) - "Don't worry about this life." "Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" (6:25) - "Isn't life about more than food, and the body about more than clothes." "Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" (6:27) - This is an old Greek phrase that means, "Which of you can add one minute to your life by worrying?" "Solomon." (6:29) - The son of King David and Bath-Sheba (2 Samuel 12:24), and the third king of Israel. Famous for his great wisdom (1 Kings 3:12; 4:34; 5:7; 10:4-8), Solomon (meaning "peaceable") ruled Israel for forty years (I Kings 11:42), from 965 to 925 BC. He was the most powerful and famous king of his day. His intellect was renowned. Scholars, kings, and queens traveled long distances to meet him (1 Kings 10:1-2). Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6:1; 9:1; 1 Chronicles 28:6), forged military and commercial pacts (1 Kings 5:12) with other nations, wrote the Old Testament books of "Ecclesiastes," "Song of Solomon," most of Proverbs and part of Psalms. He penned 1,005 songs and was interested in everything from botany to science, politics, commerce, poetry, and animal husbandry (1 Kings 4:32-33). However, Solomon lost the loyalty of the Jewish people when he overtaxed them. He praised God (2 Chronicles 6:12-14) but eventually turned his back on Him (1 Kings 11:4-6; 11:9). Solomon had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines (1 Kings 11:3). Some of his wives were pagan idolaters. To satisfy them, Solomon built pagan altars and introduced heathenism into the Kingdom. Fortunately, Solomon repented. After Solomon died, his Kingdom was split in two. The northern half was called Israel, and the southern half Judah. You can read more about Solomon in 2 Samuel 12:24-1 Kings 11:43 and 2 Chronicles 1:1-10:19. "O ye of little faith?" (6:30) - The Encarta ® World English Dictionary defines faith as; "belief in, devotion to, or trust in somebody or something, especially without logical proof." In the Bible, "faith is the ability to feel so sure of God, that, no matter how dark the day, there is no doubt as to the outcome. For God's people there is a glorious future. It may be a long way off. But it is absolutely sure." ("Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; page 373). Faith is necessary for our salvation. The word "faith" appears only twice in the Old Testament but 229 times in the New Testament. "Wherewithal shall we be clothed?" (6:31) - "How will we be clothed?" "Gentiles." (6:32) - "Unbelievers." "Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things." (6:32) - God knows our needs. Jesus is repeating His teaching from verse 6:8 (lesson 10). He reminds us again in Luke 12:30. "All these things shall be added unto you." (6:33) - "All these things will be given to you," as promised in Isaiah 30:23 and Philippians 4:19. "Take therefore no thought for the morrow." (6:34) - "Therefore, don't worry about tomorrow." "Evil." (6:34) - In this context, evil means trouble or hardship. |
Jesus teaches a similar message in Luke 12:22-32.
New Living Translation
Matthew 6:19-34
Teaching about Money and Possessions
19 "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
22 "Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light.
23 But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
24 "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
25 "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?
27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 "And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing,
29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?'
32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.
The "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Teaching about Money and Possessions
19 "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
22 "Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light.
23 But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
24 "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
25 "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?
27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 "And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing,
29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?'
32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.
The "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal." (6:19-20)
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (6:24)
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (6:33)
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal." (6:19-20)
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (6:24)
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (6:33)
Today's Questions:
1. How is the eye the light of our bodies? (6:22)
2. How can light be darkness? (6:23)
3. What does "seek ye first the kingdom of God" mean? (6:33)
To accept Christ is to repent.
1. How is the eye the light of our bodies? (6:22)
2. How can light be darkness? (6:23)
3. What does "seek ye first the kingdom of God" mean? (6:33)
To accept Christ is to repent.
Answers: (Do you agree?)
1. Using metaphorical language, light symbolizes truth, spiritual wisdom, moral clarity, and divine guidance. In biblical times, the eye was thought of as a window that carried light into the mind. An eye could be either good or bad. Jesus used that common belief to teach His followers that a good eye would allow light into the mind, while an evil eye brought in darkness that would corrupt our perspective.
2. Again, Jesus is referring to the light we take into our minds. Some take in what they think is light, but it is actually darkness (sin, spiritual ignorance) posing as light. If we let false light in, soon we are filled with darkness. We must be wary of the thoughts we entertain.
3. To seek the kingdom of God means to make God's will and pursuing salvation our first priority. Those who make God first in their lives are placing spiritual matters over worldly desires, cares, and concerns.
Application thoughts for the day:
"Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (6:24)
Lay up your treasure in heaven, not on earth (6:19-20).
You do this when you obey God.
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen, published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur, published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham, published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Atlas of the Bible" edited by Joseph L. Gardner, published by Readers Digest, Pleasantville, New York; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The New Testament" Recovery Version published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, California; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The New Scofield Reference Bible" published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2025 evolke
© 2025 evolke