Matthew 6:19-23 NRSVue
19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, 20but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22“The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If, then, the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
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Reflection on Matthew 6:19-23
Inspiration from 2025-06-20 Daily Prayer
Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. We can all ask ourselves if our hearts are set on acquiring the things of earth or on the things of heaven. So often, the gospels challenge us to look beyond the visible and to seek out what endures. In our human frailty, we become fixated on the visible and look for our security in amassing wealth. Without God, we have nothing and can do nothing. We pray, ‘Lord that I may see.’
Further reflection
Matthew links together a lot of the wisdom sayings of Jesus in chapters 6 and 7. They are not just a motley assortment but focus on a big theme of Jesus’ preaching: true security and happiness is found in the kingdom of heaven, and in doing our best to live the values of this kingdom. As you prepare to hear this theme over the next few weeks, you might ask for God to enlighten you so that you can see where you need most to receive this message.
The world often teaches me to want more, to gather and accumulate. In this time of prayer I can admit whether I am restless to have more. I take care to note whether my treasure is in the right place and I ask God’s help.
I think of what I admire, of what attracts my attention and arouses my desire. I bring this before God so that I may see whether this is something that is for my true enlightenment or something from which I might turn away.
As Jesus speaks of treasures, I might ask, ‘In what way was Jesus rich?’ Jesus wants to share with me any wealth I recognise or value in him.
The healthy eye recognises the presence of God, seeing and valuing where there is blessing and goodness. I look on my world and circumstances as God does and pray with appreciation and compassion.