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. (Matthew 6:19-24 KJV)
Commentary
Worldliness is a common and dangerous sign of hypocrisy, for no sin secures Satan’s grip on the soul more than this, especially under the appearance of religious devotion. Christ, after warning us against seeking human praise, warns us against coveting wealth. Hypocrites choose the world as their reward, but we must be careful in selecting our treasure, our ultimate goal, and our master.
Treasures in heaven
Everyone has something they consider their treasure—their greatest good, their source of security. Christ does not forbid us from having treasure but directs us to choose it wisely.
- A Warning Against Earthly Treasures
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,” where material things decay or are stolen. Treasures on earth are not the best or most valuable things. We should not crave abundance or place our trust in wealth for future security. These things must not be our ultimate comfort. Instead of storing up for our descendants in this world, we should store up for ourselves in the next. It is foolish to lay up treasures on earth, knowing their temporary nature. - The Unreliable Nature of Earthly Wealth
Wealth is easily lost or destroyed. Moths ruin fine clothing; rust and decay consume stored goods; thieves steal valuables. Even silver and gold tarnish and corrode over time. Worldly riches naturally diminish. Seneca said, “I never trusted fortune, even when she seemed friendly, for all she gave—money, honors, glory—was placed where she could take it back without my consent.” It is foolish to treasure what can be so easily lost. - The Wisdom of Storing Up Treasures in Heaven
True treasures—eternal riches, glory, and joy—are found in heaven. We must secure our place in eternity through faith in Christ, looking beyond earthly concerns. Those who prioritize heaven’s treasures will not be weighed down by the burdens of worldly wealth. The promises of God are like bills of exchange, ensuring our treasure in heaven. Unlike earthly riches, these treasures do not decay, nor can they be stolen. They are incorruptible. - A Key Principle: The Heart Follows the Treasure
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The direction of our affections determines whether we live for earthly or heavenly things. The heart follows the treasure as a compass follows a magnet. Our desires, thoughts, and efforts will be focused on what we value most. God asks for our hearts, and they will be with Him if our treasure is with Him.
If our religious acts—charity, prayer, fasting—are done for human praise, we have stored our treasure on earth. Human praise fades, and hypocrisy leads to loss. But if we serve God sincerely, our treasure is recorded in heaven, where it will be rewarded. Hypocrites’ names are written on the earth; God’s faithful have their names written in heaven.
The Eye
Our spiritual condition is like our eyesight—it determines how we see and direct our lives. A “single eye” refers to a generous, open-hearted nature. A person with such a heart reflects Christian values in his actions. But if the heart is covetous and selfish, the entire life will be darkened by sin. Those who walk in darkness do so because they refuse to understand the truth.
The eye can also represent our ability to judge rightly. If our judgment is sound, our actions will be guided by wisdom. But if our judgment is clouded by error, our whole life will be affected. Misguided understanding leads to calling evil good and good evil, which is disastrous for the soul.
The eye also represents our focus and ultimate purpose. If we aim only at God’s glory, our path will be bright and sure. But if we try to serve God while seeking our own selfish interests, our lives will be unstable. The hypocrite, like a rower who looks one way while rowing another, appears to serve God but is really pursuing earthly gain.
God and Mammon
All good things come from God including wealth and riches. It is possible and good to be a rich Christian – after all, it is God who gives us the power to gain wealth (De 8:18). However, we have those who worship money (Mammon). While most of them are unbelievers, some of them profess to be Christians. The servants of Mammon are those who overwork themselves and have little or no time to serve God – no prayer, fasting, Bible study, and fellowshipping; they are those who do not mind making gains by shady means; they are those who make a living by dishonest industry – such as drug trafficking, gambling, etc.
Such people do not find serving God convenient and often regard it as a waste of time, sooner or later. That is why Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). This applies especially to God and wealth (Mammon). Their commands contradict each other. God says, “Be content,” but Mammon says, “Grasp for more.” God says, “Be honest,” but Mammon says, “Gain at any cost.” This is a warning to Christians that we should exercise contentment and not pursue worldly riches at the expense of our relationship with God.