Matthew 6:19-34—Priorities and Peace

Where Are Your Treasures?
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Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.—Luke 12:34

Larry McClellan

Jesus said, “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 … For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also … No man can serve two masters … Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:19-24).

Treasures upon earth: What ARE these? Wealth, fame, power, influence, lands, social distinction, houses of pride, homes, and earthly friends: these are some of the present earthly hopes, aims, and ambitions identifiable as earthly treasures. What is mammon? Likely we think of worldly wealth. But in ancient days, Mammon was the name of an ancient Syrian god—the god of riches, of greed, the personification of worldliness. In a wider sense we could say that mammon is really the “selfish principle,” to obtain many earthly advantages and fleshly comforts. Perhaps we have noticed popular television evangelists telling their congregations with itching ears how God WANTS them to have earthly riches and advantages in this life. The word “sacrifice” never seems to come up (except when urging contributions to the evangelist).

Many in the world seem to almost “worship” worldly wealth—money—and dedicate their whole lives to the pursuit of obtaining all they can. How many have spent their health to acquire money, only to then spend that money on waning health! Money had been their idol. Paul wrote to Timothy that a similar attitude can even creep into the brotherhood: “They that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:9,10 ASV).

How much is enough? The deceitfulness of riches is such that no amount is ever enough.

Whatever the earthly treasures, how transitory are they in nature? Many are “illusive bubbles” that can vanish away overnight. Friends can turn quickly away. Public sentiment is fickle. You could lose your home overnight in a flood or fire. Wealth, fame, earthly relationships and dreams only yield a slight or temporary satisfaction, and often disappointment results from unrealized expectations. The beautiful cars once driven in pride, eventually rust or fall apart. The attractive dress or suit eventually becomes moth-eaten or shabby. How fleeting and unsubstantial are these treasures of the earth.

Treasures in heaven: The heavenly or spiritual treasures are both in the present and also await us in the future. The holy spirit, a present treasure of blessings, is an “earnest,” or pledge, of the later spiritual treasure of blessings to those who will “win the prize” (Ephesians 1:13,14; Philippians 3:14). These present treasures are substantial and have longevity. Foremost, we treasure God’s great love for us and his special fellowship and divine supervision that he has given to us, the consecrated. Next, there is the special treasure of our beloved master Jesus, the high priest of our profession, who ministers unto the church class as our great advocate. His special care as our “elder brother”—his special fellowship, “the fairest amongst ten thousand”—is our personal treasure of love. These two are the “choicest treasures.”

Then there is our special treasure chest of divine promises. “For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose.” And “He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (See Romans 8:28; Hebrews 13:5; Psalm 34:15; 1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:7; Isaiah 26:3,4; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 54:17; and many more.)

We also presently experience many treasures in the brotherhood of Christ. It is difficult to find a person who does things for you and treats you kindly without any expected benefit. However, with the present inheritance of the saints, we have multitudes of fellow soldiers of the cross, who would take you in like you were their own family; shelter, clothe and feed you. These truly beloved Christian brothers and sisters would do almost anything for you that they possibly could. They would lay down their very lives for you if they felt the Lord wanted them to. This is an unselfish network of brethren that support you, with caring and loving sentiments. They realize that when they’ve done some service or sacrifice for you, they’ve done it for their Master also.

Future treasures: Our Master looked forward to his reward of the divine nature, as do we (2 Peter 1:4). How we yearn to graduate into the intimate family of the heavenly courts, not only free from the pain of fleshly sorrows, but with a body that has life in itself—as both the Father and his son (John 5:26; Romans 6:5; 1 John 3:2). Our Master undoubtedly considered with anticipation the joy of becoming the head of the new creation, the 144,000, the Second Adam, who with his heavenly bride will uplift and restore the groaning and travailing world of humanity to life and human perfection. So too, we anticipate with joy becoming joint heirs with Christ, and, as the second Eve, assisting our heavenly Bridegroom as part of the Abrahamic Seed that will “bless all the families of the earth.” The church will join with Christ in removing all the tears, sorrow and crying, pain, and death that plague mankind because of sin and Satan (Revelation 21:4).

Peace of mind: How do “faith and trust” relate to all this? Jesus asked us to “Consider the lilies of the field” (Matthew 6:28). Are they worried about growing or what people will say about them? No. Jesus’ directed us to NOT be worried or burdened with anxious thoughts that would cripple our efforts of service and sacrifice in the narrow way. He directs our minds to “seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness,” set our spiritual priorities before us, and NOT be wearied and worried about the necessities of a spiritual or earthly kind that would weigh our hearts down. “Take therefore no [anxious] thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself” (Matthew 6:33,34).

Does this mean that we should not be concerned about making provisions for the needs of ourselves, our spouses, and our families? No. We will have concerns about such matters, and we should properly make appropriate provision for those for whom we have responsibilities. However, there is a difference between concern and “worry.” How strong is our faith? If we believe Jesus and the promises of God, then we are assured that the heavenly Father will so supervise our affairs that all these matters will be taken care of if we simply make reasonable efforts of providing. We are encouraged to be fully content and look up to God in faith, as the tiny sparrow looks up to heaven with each sip of water. The lily simply depends on God’s provisions and leaves the growing to God’s will. Our goal should be to rely in sweet submission to the will of God in our lives and strive to be content that “he that numbers the very hairs of our heads” is fully able to work all things out for our greatest “spiritual” good. Like our Master, NOTHING can happen to us without God’s approval (John 19:11).

Two of the most serious foes of the human family are “fear and anxiety.” Christ works to FREE us from this. You can displace fears and anxious worries by frequent prayers, singing hymns, and recalling the precious promises—our TREASURES—hid in Christ (2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:18). “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3). Hymn 12 in Hymns of Dawn expresses a similar thought: “All the way my Savior leads me; What have I to ask beside? Can I doubt his tender mercy, Who through life has been my guide?” Therefore, “Lay up for yourselves … treasures in heaven … For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”