Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.
24 “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
In Matthew 6:19-24, Jesus instructs His disciples about the proper disposition toward wealth and earthly treasures. He begins by cautioning against storing up treasures on earth, which are vulnerable to decay and theft. Instead, He urges them to store up treasures in heaven—faith, love, good works, and a deep relationship with God—which are secure and enduring. This advice underscores the importance of prioritizing eternal values over material possessions.
In Psalm 49:16-17, the psalmist reminds us that earthly riches are fleeting, as they cannot accompany us in death. This highlights the contrast with the eternal value of trusting in God, which aligns with Jesus' teaching to store treasures in heaven, where they are secure and lasting.
Jesus continues by using the metaphor of the eye as the lamp of the body. A healthy eye suggests that one clearly sees the path to follow, signifying clarity of vision and spiritual discernment. Conversely, an unhealthy eye represents darkness and confusion, suggesting a divided loyalty between God and material things.
Jesus also emphasizes that one cannot serve both God and wealth simultaneously. This dual allegiance is incompatible because it leads to divided devotion and ultimately, a choice between the true God and a false idol. This teaching challenges disciples to commit wholeheartedly to God's kingdom and His righteousness.
In the New Testament, Paul’s warning in 1 Timothy 6:10—that the love of money is the root of all evil—reinforces Jesus' message that one cannot serve both God and wealth. Jesus calls His followers to avoid the snare of materialism, which can lead them away from God.
Jesus calls His disciples to adopt an eternal perspective, prioritizing spiritual wealth over material possessions, knowing that only the treasures in heaven lead to eternal life with God. This underscores His concern for the soul's eternal destiny. He also stresses single-hearted devotion (James 4:8), urging believers to be fully committed to God, as divided loyalty leads to spiritual confusion and even apostasy. Finally, these teachings shape Christian discipleship, fostering virtues like generosity, humility, and trust in God's providence, as disciples are called to live selflessly and rely on God for all they need.
Lord Jesus, help us to treasure what is eternal and unchanging. Grant us the wisdom to see with a single mind and heart, focused on Your kingdom and Your righteousness. May we serve You faithfully, knowing that our true wealth lies in loving and serving You alone. Amen!
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Sources and References:
• The Holy Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition (2011).
• A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, ed. Orchard et al. (1953).
• The Navarre Bible: Matthew, Faculty of the University of Navarre (2008).
• The Paulist Biblical Commentary, ed. Chiu et al. (2018).
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, §§1968–1969, 2012–2013.
• St. Augustine, Sermons on the Mount.
• St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew.
• St. Gregory the Great, Homilies on the Gospels.
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