Matthew 6:19-34

The Disciple’s Allegiance – One Master, No Worry

Focus: Treasures in heaven, the clear eye, God vs. mammon, freedom from anxiety

Why this section: Exposes double-loyalties to money, career, or status and calls for undivided trust in God’s provision—crucial amid financial temptations and deployment uncertainties. (c/o Christian Military Fellowship)

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. MY BROTHER AND I HAD TO CLEAN OUT DAD'S AND OUR GRANDPARENTS' HOMES. IT TOOK TIME AND MONEY. I’M TRYING TO CLEAN OUT MY PLACE SO MY BROTHER HAS LESS TO DO WHEN I PASS.

20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; THIS IS A REASON I HAVE BEEN HELPING WITH THESE BIBLE STUDIES.

21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. IONA DID A GREAT SONG ON THIS VERSE: https://genius.com/Iona-rapper-treasure-lyrics

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is [k]clear, your whole body will be full of light. AMY GRANT DID A FAMOUS SONG ABOUT THIS. https://genius.com/Amy-grant-thy-word-lyrics

23 But if your eye is [l]bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL WHAT OUR EYES SEE.

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and [m]wealth. I’M THANKFUL SENATOR GRASSLEY INVESTIGATES QUESTIONABLE MINISTRIES. https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-releases-review-tax-issues-raised-media-based-ministries

The Cure for Anxiety

25 “For this reason I say to you, [n]do not be worried about your [o]life, OR SOUL – MIND, WILL, EMOTIONS PER ?as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? THIS IS EASY TO SAY BUT HARD TO GO THROUGH.

26 Look at the birds of the [p]air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? I WONDER ABOUT STARVING CHRISTIANS AROUND THE WORLD AND HOW I CAN HELP.

27 And who of you by being worried can add a single [q]hour to his [r]life? IT’S OK TO BE CONCERNED, BUT WE ARE NOT TO WORRY.

28 And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,

29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. GOD’S CREATION IS MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN WHAT WE MAKE.

30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! WE ARE MUCH MORE THAN GRASS.

31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’

32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. THESE ARE THE NON-JEWS.

33 But [s]seek first [t]His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be [u]added to you. KAREN LAFFERTY WROTE A SONG ABOUT THIS. THE ROYALTIES FROM IT HELP PAY HER SALARY WITH YOUTH WITH A MISSION. https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/ns/120

34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will [v]care for itself. [w]Each day has enough trouble of its own. GODSPELL IS A FAMOUS MUSICAL WITH THE SONG REMINDING US TO LIVE

Footnotes

Matthew 6:22 Or healthy; or sincere

Matthew 6:23 Or evil

Matthew 6:24 Gr mamonas, for Aram mamon (mammon); i.e., wealth, etc., personified as an object of worship

Matthew 6:25 Or stop being worried

Matthew 6:25 Lit soul

Matthew 6:26 Lit heaven