by Rita Kimbro

Created on: April 23, 2009   Last Updated: April 29, 2009

Bible Study Matthew 6:19-34 (New International Version)

Matthew 6:19-34 offers encouragement to Christians to view earthly possessions as temporary and trust God to provide their needs.

19. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

The comparison is being made between earthly wealth and the soul. Placing a great value on the material treasures we obtain in life; which by their very nature are temporary, is both futile and foolish. Why not place that effort in living a life pleasing to God? The things we value most will receive our greatest attention and efforts.

Practical lesson: We should spend less time collecting things and more time serving God.

22. "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"

We are being cautioned about what we read and watch. To corrupt ourselves by viewing movies, books, or other unacceptable materials will fill us with darkness. If we are filled with dark thoughts and images; our light can not shine to the world as God intended.

Practical lesson: Christians need to avoid viewing materials that are not spiritually appropriate because it allows our spirits to be corrupted.

24. "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

This admonition is not to tell Christians we must be impoverished. However, if the choice is between living righteously and doing things that are unrighteous to obtain monetary rewards we must choose God.

Practical lesson: All career plans should be made with our commitment to God in mind.

25. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26. 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? 27. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

When we consider what our limitations

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