Treasures In Heaven (Mat. 6:19-34)

by R.B. Fullarton, Innerleithen, U.K. | Category: The Sermon On The Mount | Sept 1984

The Lord's discourse from verse nineteen to the end of chapter 6 of Matthew has to do with worldliness and the relationship of the disciple to the world. If the follower of the Lord Jesus does not overcome the world, as his Lord did (John 16:33), the world will overcome him. The deceitfulness of worldly riches and the anxiety often resulting from the pursuit of material possessions choke the effect and power of God's word (Mat. 13:22).

Life's True Quest

Man's life at best is uncertain. There is no assurance he will live the years he would like. Worldly-minded men calculate success in terms of wealth accumulation and physical comforts. Disciples of the Lord Jesus may themselves do the same. The rat-race for advancement, the struggle for yet more is unending

like a sea which cannot be filled (Eccl. 1.7). Greed can never get enough, worry can never have enough. Of course, possessions can represent a danger to those without them, as much as to those who have them. The life of the disciple is spoiled when absorbed in the pursuit of material things; it is blessed when spiritual things are given priority. This principle is illustrated in Matthew's own life. In response to Christ's call he turned his back upon a lucrative position in an earthly kingdom, and was rewarded by being appointed an apostle of the Lord Jesus and a chronicler of a spiritual kingdom. Like Matthew, God's kingdom must be the principal passion in the heart of the disciple. It is his privilege to witness to the world that he is of a different spirit from the "man of the world".

True Wealth

To set one's heart upon earthly treasures (Mat. 6:19) is to live in perpetual insecurity. They can be the target of thieves or damaged by the ravages of insects, and are always subject to natural forces of destruction. Men plan their lives to provide security for themselves. Careful management and business prudence are not censured by the Lord Jesus. What is open to His stricture is the misguided valuation of perishable earthly treasure compared with eternal heavenly treasure. "Laying up" conveys the thought of hoarding, storing goods. Though invisible and intangible, the "real" treasure is the reward awaiting those whose lives have been "rich toward God" (Luke 12:21) i.e. rich where God is concerned, and "rich in faith" (James 2:5); lives marked by patience, perseverance and holiness, having submitted to the perfect control of a heavenly Father.

The Lord is not calling for successful opportunists; such are applauded by

fellow-aspirants in worldly affairs where doubtful dealings and shady transactions often characterize the unscrupulous activities of men "without Christ". Onus for responsible action is placed upon the individual disciple. Jesus is not rebuking or warning against the ownership of wealth. He is emphasizing that the lives of His followers must not be dominated by the desire for wealth. Trust in riches and trust in God are incompatible. The "heart" and "treasure" go together. A person's heart is always with his treasure that which he most values. The path of true happiness is the path of Christlikeness.

The futility of earthly treasure-seeking and what it may lead to are well illustrated in the story of Joshua 7 concerning Achan. Man has only one heart and the thing upon which it is set will reveal his true spirit.

A Correct Focus

The disciple's "outlook" is to be clear and unequivocal. The eye is the lamp of the body. The body is directed by what the eye sees. Using metaphorical language, the Lord speaks of the "single" eye and the "evil" eye (Mat. 6:22, 23). The one is contrasted with the other. The single eye is the enlightened eye, seeing as God sees through the operation of His word in the heart (Eph. 5:8). As the "lamp of the body", its beam is directed by the Holy Spirit so that light is shed on what is valuable and worthwhile to God. The evil or diseased eye presents to the mind and heart a false set of values. Therefore, if the only light to enter through the vehicle of the eye is perverted then the darkness which is in our body through sin in our nature is total indeed. A wrong assessment beclouds the vision of permanent spiritual realities. True treasure-seeking is not "seeing only what is near", what has to do with the present - man's day (2 Pet. 1:9), but "looking for God's day". This "outlook" is achieved by diligence in Christian living.

Undivided Service

Having spoken of the tragedy of absorption with earthly riches and the necessity for true value-judgements, the Lord then referred to decisive and committed service to one Master. To attempt to serve two masters must fail and confusion is caused to the servant. Men cannot be servants of God and wealth at the same time. One of two possible attitudes may be adopted: (1) despising

wealth for its own sake and loving God: (2) loving money and goods and despising God. They cannot co-exist. Single ownership and full-time service are the essentials of the work of a slave. God requires complete allegiance and undivided loyalty. Accumulating wealth eventually enslaves those whose time is absorbed with this pursuit. "Him only shalt thou serve" (Mat. 4:10).

The Futility of Anxiety

The last ten verses of Mat. 6 can be subdivided into three parts, each preceded by the words "Be not ... anxious". Pointedly, the Lord continues. Not only does covetousness lead men to hoard material possessions but also causes undue anxiety as to the future for themselves and their dependants. The A.V. rendering, "Take no thought" is not a condemnation of forward planning, but an exhortation to disciples of the Lord Jesus not to fret over the future. Worry dishonours God and betrays unbelief. It assumes we are better able to manage our affairs than God. It is putting self first. It indicates a detached existence from our Creator God and our Heavenly Father. Anxieties allowed and indulged may become habitual.

The absence of anxiety does not bring starvation to the creatures of the air. They are not idle or unwise. They work hard building nests, feeding their young, but do not fret or fuss. In Luke 12 the bird mentioned is the raven an unclean bird (Lev. 11:15). They are without the faculty to sow, reap or garner into barns, yet they are cared for. "They wait upon God's bounty to receive their food in due season." They gather what God has given (Ps. 104:27, 28). "He gives to the creature his food" (Ps. 147:9). The Lord's own are of much more value (Mat. 6:26).

The flowers with which God beautifies the countryside display His lavishness in a beauty that Solomon's magnificent robes could never match. The God of the universe is not indifferent to any part of His creation. Even the grass of the field He clothes (v.30).

"Be not anxious therefore for your life... your body." Both are God's property. What God does for inanimate nature and the lower creatures is sufficient incentive to keep His own from corroding care.

The Principal Pursuit

The incessant restlessness of those who give no recognition to God's superintending providence serves as a salutary object lesson (6:32). The disciple has a heavenly Father - a meaningful designation describing all the power of Heaven at His command and all the loving sympathy of a Father who knows the essential needs of His own. Getting the priorities right is a life-time's work. The priority for the disciple is succinctly stated. "Seek ye first His kingdom." This is where concentrated action is to be centred, not precluding legitimate effort in "all these (other) things." But the heart must not be set on the latter. God may not necessarily give us what we want but He gives what is best.

The disciple must cultivate a determined attitude, inner resolution, singlemindedness, an undivided heart and a desire to work towards God's rule in the hearts of men (His kingdom) and the establishment of His justice and mercy in their lives (His righteousness).

The words of Jeremiah the prophet to Baruch carry a timeless voice. "Do you seek great things for yourself? seek them not" (RSV). Rather, "Seek first...

God."

R.B. Fullarton, Innerleithen, U.K. | Sept 1984
The Sermon On The Mount