Matthew: Chapter 6 (Part II)
Treasures in Heaven
In the passage 6:19-24, Jesus states specific cases which might hinder ones chance of reaching heaven. In the verses 19-21, he states how tenuous riches stored on earth are, and encourages us to store up treasures in heaven, where it would be imperishable. These treasures are gained by living according to the will of God, doing the right things, being righteous in God's sight and not heeding to evil.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21
In the next two verses, he says, how the "eye is the lamp of the body". If its healthy, our body will be full of light, if its unhealthy, then our body would be darkness. Every sin humans are capable of, big or small, starts with sight. We compare, covet, crave with our eyes. If we do not train our eye to stay away from evil, then the more easier it would be for us to slip and give in. If we train our eye to shun evil, we are less likely to be tempted to do things we would regret later. Thus, we need to safeguard our eyes.
Further, in following verse Jesus says, we can't serve two masters. The case Jesus makes is with God and money. A person who runs behind money, beyond what is required by him to meet his needs, can never serve God. But extending this further, we can place anything which makes us distant from God. It could be any of our desires, or pursuits or it could be something which is seemingly very reasonable, but if that makes us despise God, then it is turning out to be our master.
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
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| Do Not Worry. You are precious. |
Do Not Worry
Finally, after explaining about right intentions and the proper way to give to the needy, pray, fast, store up treasures, Jesus comforts us by stating how precious we are in God's eyes, and states we don't have to worry unnecessarily.
Often, we tend to overthink about our life and what we ought to do the next day, week, month, year and so on. And when something changes our plans for life, we panic and worry further. Sometimes we lash out at others, and other times we spiral into self doubt and depression. All this can be avoided, if we stop worrying about our life, what we would eat, drink and wear.
Now this might sound reckless, how can someone life without a plan for his/her life? Wouldn't it be a foolish thing to do in this over competitive world? True, it would be. But that is not what Jesus says here. Jesus asks us to trust in LORD for all our needs, and not to worry unnecessarily.
He gives the example of how birds of the air are provided and how the flowers of the field are clothed by our heavenly Father. We are precious and valuable in God's sight, if he provides for the birds and the grass of the field, wouldn't he also provide for us?
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26
Also, we belong to God...
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were brought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19,20
And sometimes, we might not feel worthy or valuable or precious in our own eyes, but that's not how God views us...
What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angles and crowned them with glory and honor. Psalm 8:4,5
So, rather than worrying about tomorrow, trust in the LORD, await his kingdom, live up to his righteousness, and everything else which is needed will be given to us. Each day has its own things to sort through, and tomorrow can wait.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33,34
Even when things look hard, it'll get better. Just hold on in faith. See you in the next post, take care of yourself and each other!
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