Matthew 6:19-24
“Entangled Or Disentangled?”
When Jesus came to this earth Jesus made it very clear that we all need to make a decision.
Are we going to live the way Jesus calls us to live?
Or are we going to live our own way?
There are two ways to live. One way leads to eternal life, the other way leads to an eternity of separation from God.
It is either one, or the other.
The person who makes the decision to follow Jesus
… the person who puts their faith and trust in Jesus
… that person is called a disciple.
When we become disciples the decision we make to follow Jesus will have an impact on our behaviour as disciples.
Or … at least … it should have an impact.
In Matthew 6:19-24 Jesus gives three specific examples of how being a disciple should change our behaviour.
19 ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 ‘The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 ‘No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Let’s make sure we understand what is happening here.
In these verses Jesus is not giving us a checklist which we can use to determine if we … or others … are saved.
Have I … have they … stored up treasures on earth? Cross.
Do I … do they … have unhealthy eyes? Cross.
Is Money my … is Money their … master? Cross.
Well then … according to the checklist … there is no salvation here.
That isn’t what Jesus is doing.
Rather, Jesus gives us these examples so that we can discern to what extent we are allowing the salvation of Jesus to transform us.
Specifically.
As disciples we disentangle ourselves from the materialistic thinking and practise of the world and we entangle ourselves into following our Saviour.
As we consider each of these examples let’s ask God’s Spirit in us to help us discern where we have become entangled, so that Jesus can work in us to help us disentangle.
In the first example Jesus is helping us to discern
Have we become entangled in the treasures of this world?
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19 ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21
Treasures of the world are not the same as money and finances.
Jesus will narrow His focus down to money and finances in verse 24.
So the “treasure” is broader than just “Money”.
Regarding these “treasures” Jesus says they can be eaten by moths, and corroded by rust. These same “treasures” are also targeted by thieves.
Now, it is possible that Jesus is talking about figurative moths, and figurative rust, and figurative theft.
We “treasure” a relationship but another person, “a moth”, comes in and eats that relationship.
We “treasure” being well liked but “a rusty” group of people conspire to corrode our reputation.
We “treasure” having purpose, but a “thief” comes and steals that purpose.
It is possible to think in figurative terms. However, the people on the mountain to whom Jesus was preaching, they would be much more inclined to think literally.
Actual tangible stuff which moths can eat, and rust can corrode, and thieves can steal.
What kind of stuff?
In this regard James 5:1-3 is very helpful
1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
In our day of synthetic fibre and moth balls – moth eaten clothes are not an issue.
In Jesus’ day when clothes were made of natural fibres like silk and cotton – it is a big issue.
In those days the best way to stop moths eating your clothes was … to wear the clothes.
Moths don’t get a chance to eat the clothing that we are wearing regularly. But clothes that are in storage, or right at the back, or which never see the light of day. The excess clothing. That’s the clothing moths eat.
In our day of paper money, electronic transfers, and internet banking, we may miss what Jesus was saying. But at a time when everything is hard currency – literally – it can corrode. Again, in what circumstance will it corrode?
When it is not used. When there is so much of it that it just sits there doing nothing.
Where you put all your gold and silver because you have so much of it.
It is in storage in a place that is kind of forgotten.
Such abundance is a desirable target for thieves.
In the Greek Jesus describes the thieves as “the ones who dig through”. They come to the storage facility of the excess because there is a good chance they will be unnoticed over the period of time it takes to dig through the wall where all this stuff is stored.
Let’s be clear
Jesus is not against us having clothes, or possessions, or accumulating.
Rather Jesus is encouraging us to look at our stuff …
… our possessions.
… our collections.
… the things we put into storage.
… the things we need in our homes.
… the stuff that we gather and hide away.
Jesus encourages us to look at this stuff and ask ourselves have we, as disciples, become entangled in the attitude of having so many worldly treasures that it just … sits.
Getting moth-eaten.
Corroding in some way.
The stuff that, if stolen, we would be annoyed but, really, we wouldn’t be too upset because it was just excess.
The stuff which, in the words of James, is being “hoarded”.
The stuff we don’t need, but we hold onto it because it is “ours” – it has our heart.
Is there a “treasure” in our lives that fits this description?
If we see that we have become entangled in the “treasures of the earth” how do we become disentangled?
We focus on a “treasure” which is beyond the reach of moths and rust and thieves can’t steal.
The opposite of “storing up treasures on earth” is not that we now need to give away our clothes, or our money, or our possessions, our collections, and our other accumulated endeavours. Nor does “storing up treasures in heaven” mean we are no longer able to accumulate anything that is not an absolute necessity.
Storing up treasures in heaven is a calling to prioritise the treasures which last into eternity. Such treasures are completely untouchable by moths and rust and thieves.
So what are the treasures which last into eternity?
There are two.
God’s Word is a treasure that lasts into eternity. 1 Peter 1:24-25 says
24 All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord endures for ever.
We disentangle from the treasures of the earth by entangling ourselves and investing our time into God’s Word.
Allowing the Word to direct and guide our actions.
Realising that the Word is practical and applicable to our everyday situation.
Using the Word to understand our culture and be relevant to the culture.
Being willing to make transformational changes in our lives when we are convicted by that Word.
The Word is that which draws us closer to God and makes us more like Jesus. The Word helps us to understand the ultimate purpose of our lives. The Word which gives us peace and security in the middle of hopelessness and darkness.
Having a heart for the Word … a much greater heart then the heart we have to accumulate stuff which moths eat, and rust corrodes, and thieves steal.
The other treasure which is going to last into eternity is people.
The purpose of the new heaven and earth is to have a place where people can experience for eternity the face-to-face presence of God. It will be a great multitude that no-one can count from every nation and tribe and people and language.
We can’t bring anything material to heaven.
But,
… as we serve Jesus
… and rely on Jesus
… and know it is all because of Jesus,
we can bring people.
We disentangle from the treasures of the earth by entangling ourselves and investing our time into people.
Having a heart for the lost … a much greater heart then the heart we have to accumulate stuff which moths eat, and rust corrodes, and thieves steal.
Disentangling from the treasures of the earth, entangling ourselves into the treasures of heaven.
That is the first example of Jesus.
Let’s move to the second example.
Have we become entangled in the pursuit selfishness and self-service?
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22 ‘The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
Matthew 6:22-23
Let me say from the outset that the metaphor of having the eye as the lamp of the body is quite perplexing to Bible scholars and there are multiple interpretations as to what Jesus is saying here.
In my mind part of the answer can be found by realising that, in first century thinking, there was a common view that the eyes could see because the light came from within us, through our eyes, and then shone onto the objects. The source of light starts with me, and I am in control of what I choose to see.
I will give greater focus to that which grabs the light of my eyes.
I will pass over or ignore that which doesn’t grab the light of my eyes.
My response to what happens around me is governed by what I choose to see.
Also of significant interest is the words healthy and unhealthy. The Greek behind these words is commonly translated as generous and stingy. In the context Jesus has just finished talking about the entanglement of excess stuff, and in a moment he will talk about the entanglement of having money as a master. In that context a focus on generosity and stinginess fits very well.
We also add to this that light and darkness do not always mean “you know the light of Jesus” and “you are still in the darkness of the world”.
Remember Jesus is talking to disciples.
The focus isn’t “are we saved or not saved”. The question is one of entanglement and the results of that entanglement.
In that sense light can also refer a vibrancy, and a happiness and joy.
In that same sense darkness is the experience of declining into lonely isolation.
When we put this all together that is the reason I used this question to introduce this second example.
Have we become entangled in the pursuit selfishness and self-service?
As we look around at all we see.
And the light of our eyes illuminates needs, and people who are struggling, and kingdom work to support.
When this is the case do we choose not to see because we have become entangled in stinginess? Having a self-serving approach isolates us into darkness and distance from others.
Or, when our eyes light up the many needs, are we entangled in generosity? Showing real love for them and tangible concern for the well-being of others and the well-being of the kingdom.
We disentangle from stinginess by generously entangling ourselves into the needs of people and the kingdom.
That is the second example of Jesus.
Let’s move to the third example.
Have we become entangled in serving the master called Money?
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24 ‘No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Matthew 6:24
Take real note here.
It doesn’t say, “Serving God and Money is very difficult.”
Nor does it say, “Some people have mastered the art of serving two Masters”.
No one can serve two masters ... You cannot serve both God and Money
It is like trying to mix water and oil – it just doesn’t happen.
Put the two names up on a chalk board and rub out one name.
God or Money.
Simple!
… …
Except it is not so simple.
Money is not just a medium of exchange.
In our culture money gives status and security.
It can make us feel strong and important.
Going out with friends and having a debit card filled with money gives us confidence.
“Because I have money I am somebody” … is sometimes the way we think.
Without money we can feel insecure, insignificant, vulnerable and concerned.
That is why people fall in love with Money and serve it as their master.
Perhaps you know Scrooge McDuck. He loves money doesn’t he. He kisses it. And hugs it. And swims in it. That is not the sort of love that Jesus is talking about. In fact the issue here is not the money in and of itself. It is what money gives you. That is because money equals power.
If I have money I can walk into a shop and I can be king. People will run over to me and call me sir. And I can try on anything I like. And people will run out the back to get me a different size or a different colour.
I will have the turquoise jacket on and say, “Mmmm. I’m not sure if this is my colour. Do you have one in puce?”
As if I even know what the colour puce looks like anyway. Money gives me the power to do that.
If I have money I can become selfish and get my own way. I don’t like waiting to find a carpark in the city – but with money I can buy my own space. It will always be mine – it will even have my name on it. I am not like other ordinary people I deserve a better spot in life. That is what money gives me.
Money entangles us. We think we are the master, but it is all a lie.
Money is the master.
We disentangle from serving the master called Money by entangling our lives in service to God.
Being those who live a Beatitudinal life.
Being salt and light.
Having a “righteousness that surpasses the Pharisees and teachers of the law” by avoiding a minimalistic legalistic approach to life.
Being those who are careful not to practise our righteousness in front of others to be seen to be giving a spiritual Oscar winning performance.
The whole Sermon on the Mount up to this point has been consistently equipping us to be such people. People who are entangling their lives in service to God their Master.
We disentangle from serving the master called Money by entangling our lives in service to God.
That is the focus of the third example of Jesus.
As we gather here today most of us have confessed Jesus as our Lord.
We know that there are two ways to live – and we have chosen the way of eternal life.
We are disciples of Jesus
As disciples of Jesus, we walk in the footsteps of a Saviour who had very little material wealth.
We follow the One who said, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
We follow the One who relied on the generosity of others, and who undoubtedly knew hunger and thirst.
At His death His the most valuable worldly possession was a seamless under-garment that was won by a solider in a game of dice.
Jesus says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. (Mark 10:25)”
Jesus also says, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. (Luke 12:15).”
We are disciples of this Jesus.
Disciples who have expensive electronic items, and coffee machines with milk frothers.
We have cupboards full of clothes and storerooms full of stuff.
For most of us our houses are sturdy and temperature controlled, and we have a measure of savings for a rainy day.
Our cars have seat warmers. Our 4th bedroom or our shed stores all our extra stuff.
We take it for granted that hot water will come out of our shower – in the days of Jesus only the very wealthy knew of heated Roman baths.
I know that there are people who do struggle financially, and some may or may not be making ends meet.
Even so, the reality for all of us is that, compared to the life of Jesus the Saviour who we follow, we live in a materialist, money driven, wealth chasing society.
So, how do we as disciples who are committed to following our Saviour – how do we follow Jesus when it comes to materialism, kingdom needs, and money?
Because it is not as simple as saying, “Just do what Jesus did.”
Not even Jesus Himself tells us to be people who have the same life Jesus had, and only carry the possessions He possessed.
Indeed some of the followers of Jesus had houses big enough to hold a church gathering.
How do we follow?
Matthew 6:19-24 equips us to do this.
We disentangle from the treasures of the earth by entangling ourselves and investing our time into people.
We disentangle from stinginess and self-service by generously entangling ourselves into the needs of people and the kingdom.
We disentangle from serving the master called Money by entangling our lives in service to God.
Are we, as disciples, entangled in the materialistic thinking and practise of the world?
Or are we, as disciples, disentangling ourselves from the materialistic thinking and practise of the world because of who we are in Christ?
Let’s all be willing to hear the Spirit telling us where we need to disentangle, and then respond accordingly.
Prayer
