Continuing in the Sermon on the Mount, today, we look at a subject that the Bible has a lot to say about – money! Is “money the root of all evil” as is often “quoted” from 1Timothy 6:10? Hmm . . . We will answer this question later, but, in the meantime, let’s see what Jesus has to say on the subject of money.
Want to give a shout out to our fellow teacher, Katie Hall, who is responsible for some of the content of this lesson. Thank you, Katie!
Matthew 6:19-24: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin 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.”
Jesus tells the people do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth. In the ancient world, clothing symbolized wealth and status. (Not much has changed today!) If you remember your Grandmom’s closet, she probably had moth balls in it. Moth’s used to be destroy clothes (that has changed due to the different fabrics used). Jesus uses the moth as a symbol of destruction. He also talks about vermin and thieves as destroyers of our treasures. His point is that treasures on earth – whether clothing, food, or money are never secure. Just think about how often we have seen on the news where everything someone owned was gone in an instant in a fire or hurricane.
He goes on to tell us where our true treasure lies – in the things of heaven. In other words, in the things that last for eternity. Paul emphasizes this, too, in Philippians 4:11-13. He tells us the key to happiness is not having more, but being content with what you have. (or as Sheryl Crow paraphrased, “It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you have.”)
The ancient pharaohs used to be buried with all of their earthly treasures – even family members and pets! They wanted the things most precious to them to pass into the next life with them. Sorry, pharaohs, but that’s not how it works! Our material treasures will not pass from this life to the next. What does pass from this life into eternity is the good that has been done for the Kingdom of God through the use of our treasures! This is not just limited to tithing. It should be our intention to seek the fulfillment of God’s purpose in all we do, not just in what we give.
“ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What Jesus says here is very profound – this statement is not the other way around – Where your heart is, there your treasure will be, also. Material possessions, especially money, can change your heart. A survey found that people who make $50K a year, said they needed to make $100K to be happy. People who made 100K said they needed $200K.
So what does all of this mean? Is the only way to store up treasures in heaven relinquishing our material possessions? This brings us back to the initial question – Is money the root of all evil? First, let me clear something up because I don’t want any of you to think I am questioning something in Scripture. When people quote the 1Timothy verse as, “Money is the root of all evil,” they are misquoting it. What Paul actually says is, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” And that goes along perfectly with what Jesus is saying here in Matthew!
Second, Jesus is not saying material possessions are bad. He finishes up this passage with “You cannot serve two masters.” It is impossible to serve two masters equally well or at the same time. Jesus uses the words “hate” and “love,” but understand that in the Bible, these terms are not the feelings of hate and love as we think of them. Hate means to reject and love means to accept. So what Jesus is saying is that you can’t have two people (or things) controlling you. You will accept one, and reject the other.
Jesus is not against possessions because He supposes them to be evil. The issue is not that possessions themselves are bad but that when we put a high priority on them, they will be what commands our resources and our worship.
If we value what our Lord values rather than what our society values, it will compel us to meet the basic needs of people lacking adequate resources before we seek to accumulate possessions beyond our basic needs. This is reiterated in verses 22 – 23. What are we setting our eyes on? Spiritual vision is our capacity to see clearly what God wants us to do and see the world from his point of view. Self-serving desires, interests, and goals block that vision. Serving God is the best way to re-store it!
The conclusion? A “good” eye is one that is fixed on God. Being generous with our material possessions brings light to our lives. And, finally, we will be happier and more content when we only serve the true master, our Holy God. Besides making our life fuller, more meaningful, and more joyful, we will be storing up for ourselves treasures in heaven that we will someday be able to enjoy for all eternity!!
