Matthew 6:19-21 | HempfieldUMC.org (2024)

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What does Matthew chapter 6 verse 19 to 21 mean? ›

Jesus encourages His disciples to invest their treasures wisely where their value won't be lost. And He tells them that their hearts will follow their treasures. The parallel account of this teaching is found in Luke 12:33-34.

Here, Jesus tells the crowds not to stockpile temporary treasure on earth. Rather, they should be working towards godly goals—''storing up'' rewards in heaven with choices driven by sincere devotion to God. Where we place our treasure indicates the real priority of our hearts.

This verse states that if one places one's treasure in heaven that is where one's heart or attention will be. This is an implicit warning, which is made clear later in the chapter, that if one's treasure is on earth, one's heart and attention will also be on earthly matters, to the exclusion of God.

Matthew 6:19-21 KJV (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 ...

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are the source of all spiritual blessing. Teach me to value the eternal treasures of your kingdom over the temporal things of earth. Let my soul become a storehouse of these blessings for my own sake and for the sake of the people I love.

Extends to all of Christ's way and kingdom

Those things which are above signifies heavenly or spiritual goods, such as faith, peace, a patient heart, love, chastity, and such things. Those things which are beneath means carnal goods, such as pleasures, riches, the glory of the world.

“Treasures in heaven” are things of worth in God's coming kingdom, such as justice, opportunity for everyone to be productive, provision for everyone's needs, and respect for the dignity of every person.

I take care to note whether my treasure is in the right place and I ask God's help. I think of what I admire, of what attracts my attention and arouses my desire. I bring this before God so that I may see whether this is something that is for my true enlightenment or something from which I might turn away.

In Matthew 6, Jesus is saying, here's what's of first importance if you want to treat the temptations of wealth and worry: Seek his kingdom; seek his righteousness. To seek his kingdom means to anticipate the promised future establishment of God's physical reign on this earth through the god-man Jesus Christ.

He taught that righteous acts of devotion should be done for the right reason and emphasized that they should be done to please our Heavenly Father. He also instructed His disciples to seek first to build the kingdom of God.

Can a person be wealthy and serve God? ›

No wonder Jesus explicitly warns us that we cannot love and serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). But there is nothing wrong with being rich. The rich are no less holy than others. One can be rich and still love God more than he loves or trusts money.

God made human beings to be male and female and decreed that men should leave their parents, hold fast to their wives, and become one flesh in marriage. Men should not separate what God has joined, Jesus concludes (Matthew 19:1–6).

God lays up His own treasures in heaven. They are the souls of His people. Our treasures are the gifts that God has given us to use for His glory. Our treasures consist of time, talents, energy, creativity, and material wealth.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Choose heavenly treasures first and your heart will follow. Let the light into your life by looking to the right things. Focusing on God's ways is going to bring light to your life. Only then will you start seeing the transformation of your life from emptiness to satisfaction.

John promises in today's passage that the Messiah will baptize not just with water but with the Spirit and fire (v. 11), an image with double meaning. The long awaited flame of the Holy Spirit will purify the soul and eventually remove all corruption from those who submit to the Son of David (Isa. 1:24–26).

In the eyes the character and moral quality of a person are reflected. The gist of this saying is: If the eye is healthy, it functions as the light of the body and indicates that the owner is sincere, generous and helpful.