Treasure in Heaven (6:19 24) 12:33 34; Luke 11:33-36; 16:13

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1 Treasure in Heaven (6:19 24) 12:33 34; Luke 11:33-36; 16:13 In Luke, we see the material found here in Matthew discussed in three different locations. So the question is this, did Matthew gather this material from Luke in order to give a more systematic or topical discussion here, as he tends to do elsewhere, or did Luke separate parts of Matthew s unified story and use them as needed to make interesting points later? The fact that Matthew wrote before Luke would support this last position. Yet, it actually seems that Matthew is systematizing various teachings of Jesus, bringing them all together in this one place to make a point as he did with the Lord s Prayer earlier. But then again, perhaps it is just as likely that Jesus covered this same material on more than one occasion and in different contexts. Jesus continues to talk about reward for the believer. There is a clear continuity of thought between the idea of a secret, heavenly reward in vv. 1 6, and the subject of treasure in heaven. 1 In those earlier verses we read, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 6:1, ESV) Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. (Matthew 6:2, ESV) And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:4, ESV) Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. (Matthew 6:5, ESV) And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:6, ESV) In 6:19-24, the idea of reward experiences a new orientation; it is not the heavenly treasure that is the focus, but the earthly one, and the ultimate problem with such rewards. And, as far as immediate continuity is concerned, we should note that our recent study, vss warn against excessive asceticism [fasting], [while] vss argue against the opposite, indulging in material luxuries. 2 It would seem that we are to strike a balance between the two. That no doubt is a key to understanding both. We should also remember the petition Give us this day our daily bread, (Matthew 6:11, ESV) so recently mentioned. It was brief. Generally our prayers have much more to say about the material needs of our life than this. So what lies before us is an expansion on those issues. Two Treasures (6:19-6:21) Luke 12:33 34 The material above on giving, praying and fasting (6:1-6:18), has reminded us of the importance of eternal reward. Laying up treasure on earth would correspond to doing these acts of worship ostentatiously for personal fame. Here we are again warned not to do that, not to lay up treasure, or reward, on earth. The following discussion on 1) treasures (6:19-21), 2) visions (6:22-23) and 3) Masters (6:24) readdresses the subject of reward giving attention to the material rewards 1 R. T. France, The Gospel of Matthew (The New International Commentary on the New Testament; Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co., 2007), Hans Dieter Betz, The Sermon on the Mount: A Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount, Including the Sermon on the Plain (Matthew 5:3-7:27 and Luke 6:20-49) (ed. Adela Yarbro Collins; Hermeneia a Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible; Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1995), 429.

2 available to the hypocrite. Some people do not care about others, but they care very much that they have money in the bank. It is this issue that Jesus is addressing here. Warnings on Wealth This section is not addressing the evils of working for a living and supporting your family. It is addressing covetousness, greed and the love of money. And he said to them, Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. (Luke 12:15, ESV) Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. (Matthew 23:25, ESV) And he said to them, Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. (Luke 12:15, ESV) The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. (Luke 16:14, ESV) And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation. (Mark 12:38 40, ESV) I m not sure the Jews were any more covetous then than our culture is today. So, whether it be their day or ours, love of money will destroy your soul. That is what this section is about. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? (Matthew 16:26, ESV) James appears to be making a similar point saying: Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. (James 5:1 3, ESV) Luke records a story told by Jesus that expands on this idea: And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry. But God said to him, Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be? So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. (Luke 12:19 21, ESV) Paul is very clear:

3 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (1 Timothy 6:10, ESV) Jesus had himself covered this point on several occasions. And Jesus said to his disciples, Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:23, ESV) As a result, this passage in Matthew generates something of a dilemma for us. For Elsewhere the Scriptures require a man to provide for his relatives (1 Tim 5:8), commend work and provision for the future (Prov 6:6 8), and encourage us to enjoy the good things the Creator has given us (1 Tim 4:3 4; 6:17). 3 Matthew 6:19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, We recently read about the praise of men for giving, praying and fasting and how it results in laying up reward or treasure on earth. We are told not to give, pray and fast that way. We are not told to stop giving, praying and fasting. So the issue here is not necessarily a do, or not do, scenario; shall I work or not work? Like the first three topics it is your intent, purpose or goal that is the point. It really is a given that people must lay up some treasure on earth. If you don t you will become destitute. But is that the sole intent of your work? This is what Jesus is addressing. You can dedicate yourself to material rewards and thereby lose eternal ones. It s a matter of focus and priorities. What Are the Options? At first reading, this section appears to suggest two options with the necessity of picking one or the other: shall I live for wealth and have nothing in heaven, or shall I live in poverty that I might have eternal reward? And in fact, through the centuries there have been many that committed themselves to poverty that they might possess eternal reward and probably not a few that did the opposite. But is this what the passage teaches? In seeking an answer, one might ask, does living in poverty advance the kingdom? Is living under a bridge and passing out gospel tracts all day what Jesus is asking us to do? Or the opposite, living well and doing absolutely nothing for the kingdom. Are these radical behaviors our only choices? From what we read in the bible about wealth and its virtue or at least possible virtue, this harsh dichotomy does not appear to be the meaning of this passage. Let s peruse the verses and see what develops. The words lay up and treasures are actually one Greek word 4 used in both places. It is therefore saying do not treasure up treasures the very sound of which seems to make the point. The command not to store up treasure on earth should not be 3 Carson, D. A. (1984). Matthew. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, p. 177). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. 4 θησαυρίζω To lay, store or treasure up goods for future use. Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

4 understood to entail the renunciation of all possessions. In the first place, the subject of 6:19 is treasure, not earthly goods in general. In the second place, the verb, to treasure, refers to accumulation, not simple possession. 5 This one word, treasure, used twice in such close proximity is important in understanding the passage. Jesus is forbidding hoarding up treasures, piling up treasure or heaping up treasure not acquiring goods in order to live. The term lay up treasure appears to miss the point; it is simply not strong enough. So, hoarding and piling and heaping up treasure on earth is criticized, but to acquire earthly goods for the sake of making a living is not criticized and not the subject of this discussion. Treasure Is Actually a Positive Term The word used once instead of twice in the same phrase, can be used in a positive way. This Greek word, treasure, in these two verses makes that point where we are encouraged to store up or save. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. (1 Corinthians 16:2, ESV) Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. (2 Corinthians 12:14, ESV) 5 Clark International, 2004), 630.

5 So, storing up or saving up on earth is not universally wrong. The reason for storing up determines the right or wrong. The phrase on earth is a key here, that the hoarding takes place on earth determines its futility. 6 The treasure spoken of here is of a material nature, the words moth, rust and steal make that clear. The Blessings of Wealth The blessings and praise of material wealth is common to the Old Testament. A rich man s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin. (Proverbs 10:15, ESV) Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. (Job 1:10, ESV) And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10, ESV) But criticism of the wealthy was also common in the Old Testament. Therefore because you trample on the poor and you exact taxes of grain from him, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not dwell in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine. (Amos 5:11, ESV) Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not bring justice to the fatherless, and the widow s cause does not come to them. (Isaiah 1:23, ESV) The LORD will enter into judgment with the elders and princes of his people: It is you who have devoured the vineyard, the spoil of the poor is in your houses. What do you mean by crushing my people, by grinding the face of the poor? declares the Lord GOD of hosts. (Isaiah 3:14 16, ESV) These verses are not a criticism of wealth, they are a criticism on how some obtain wealth and what they do with it. So, what side is Jesus on, is wealth good or is it bad? Yes, it is good or bad, depending on your attitude and what you do with it. Matthew 6 does not prohibit being provident (making sensible provision for the future) but being covetous (like misers who hoard and materialists who always want more). 7 One should consider Joseph in Egypt who laid up enormous amounts of food in 6 Hans Dieter Betz, The Sermon on the Mount: A Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount, Including the Sermon on the Plain (Matthew 5:3-7:27 and Luke 6:20-49) (ed. Adela Yarbro Collins; Hermeneia a Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible; Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1995), Carson, D. A. (1984). Matthew. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, p. 177). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

6 provision for a coming famine. Notwithstanding the enormous amount of savings, Joseph s work was intended to meet the basic living needs of the nation, not to use the poor to enhance his own standard of living. The Ministry of Wealth We must also factor in those that support the ministry of the Word. We can see that the itinerant and dependent lifestyle of Jesus and his disciples depended on the support of those who had not divested themselves of all their possessions (Luke 8:3; 10:38 42; John 12:1 2 etc.). 8 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means. (Luke 8:3, ESV) Savings and wealth make ministry possible. Recently in Matthew 6:3, we read of those who give. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (Matthew 6:3, ESV) But to give requires that one have something, some wealth, to give. Jesus teaching as recorded in Mt 6:2 4; 25:31 46; and Lk 10:30 37 presupposes not the renunciation of all possessions but their proper use; and the parables of Jesus, so many of which have as their major characters landlords and landowners, masters and stewards, slaveowners and slaves, never once engage in polemic against the injustices of the economic system. 9 The Creation of Wealth God commanded us to create wealth. Savings generate the capital needed to advance civilization. A shovel (or any tool) is capital, a product of savings, without savings a shovel cannot be purchased. Without a shovel one is reduced to digging in the ground with hands, sticks or rocks. It is with savings, capital or tools, that we fulfill the creation mandate to subdue the earth and have dominion over it. And God blessed them. And God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth. (Genesis 1:28, ESV) Without savings, tools, it is most difficult to subdue or exercise dominion over God s creation. Without tools our influence over creation does not arise above that of dogs or cats. 8 France, R. T. (2007). The Gospel of Matthew (p. 259). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co. 9 Clark International, 2004), 644.

7 If this passage in Matthew were enforced on Believers in a wrong way, Christians would become increasingly poor, possessing little and not being able to do much to care for themselves or others or advance the kingdom. All doctrines must be developed in the light of all the scripture. Looking at the Bible as a whole, it is clear that this is not what Jesus is asking us to do. The Destruction of Wealth destroy 10 This is now the second time we ve seen this word in this chapter. And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. (Matthew 6:16, ESV) This word destroy is found twice in this paragraph as well in 6:19; 6:20 and twice more later in the New Testament. Is there a relationship between 6:16 and these two verses before us (6:19 and 6:20)? Perhaps a play on words? The hypocrites disfigure or destroy their appearance that they might be seen by others. Here moth and rust destroys material items that they might not been seen by us. In both cases, reward is lost. It can be lost in the pursuit of false piety and in seeking the acclaim of self by others. It can also be lost in the pursuit of wealth and in seeking the acclaim of self by others. Ultimately, it s interesting in how little difference there is between the two. But this point is important: neither piety nor wealth are in themselves the problem. In both cases, people take a good thing and make something bad out of it. Moth and rust destroy, refers to destruction by nature; thieves break in and steal, refers to destruction by humans. treasures treasured upon the earth are assailed from every direction. 11 Paul sums up wealth earned now and for eternity saying: Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw each one s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:12 15, ESV) In Matthew, those false works would be hypocritical giving, praying and fasting as well as treasure laid up on earth. If done with wrong motives, all will be burned up on the last day, no rewards will be earned. 10 ἀφανίζω To remove out of sight. In the pass., to be removed out of sight, disappear, vanish away. Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000). 11 Clark International, 2004), 630.

8 In passing, we might note that the Roman Catholic Church has used this verse to prove their doctrine of purgatory. One Catholic commentator says this, The last words clearly imply some penal suffering, and as Paul connects it so closely with God s judgement, it can hardly be confined to suffering in this world, but seems to include the idea of purificatory suffering after this life, i.e. in purgatory. 12 However, even a casual reading of this passage makes it clear that one s work is burned up ; it is not the people that are burned up. It is not uncommon to find scriptures twisted like this in order to defend a doctrine taught by the Roman Church or other cults that is in fact contrary to the Bible. It is this doctrine of Purgatory that was at the heart of Luther s conflict with the Roman Church in the sixteenth century. The Roman Church offered relief from Purgatory if people would give money to the Roman Church putting in the mouths of departed loved ones: "Pity us, pity us. We are in dire torment from which you can redeem us for a pittance." Do you not wish to? Open your ears. Hear the father saying to his son, the mother to her daughter, "We bore you, nourished you, brought you up, left you our fortunes, and you are so cruel and hard that now you are not willing for so little to set us free. Will you let us lie here in the flames? Will you delay the promised glory?" Remember that you are able to release them, for as soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs John Tetzel, Dominican indulgence vendor. From this horrible doctrine, the Reformation was born. Matthew 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. The Preservation of Wealth How is one to lay up heavenly treasures? Matthew does not answer that question. Although Matthew has no explanation of how to store up treasure in heaven, this lack is more than made up by the broader context, 12 W. Rees, 1 and 2 Corinthians, in A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture (ed. Bernard Orchard and Edmund F. Sutcliffe; Toronto; New York; Edinburgh: Thomas Nelson, 1953),

9 Mt 5 7. Those who are rewarded by the Father in heaven are those named by the beatitudes (5:3 12), those who are salt and light in the world (5:13-16), those that address anger (5:21-26), lust (5:27-30), divorce (5:28-32), oaths (5:33-37), retaliation (5:38-42), who love enemies (5:43-48), those who practice their piety in secret (6:1), those who give alms in secret (6:4), those who pray in secret (6:6), those who fast in secret (6:18), and those who love their neighbor as themselves (7:12). 14 This is how one lays up treasure in heaven and it does not require that you quit your job to do it. Paul gives us a very succinct explanation as well. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:18 19, ESV) Doing what Paul teaches here does not require that you divest yourself of all your earthly goods. In fact, if you did, it would be most difficult to be generous and ready to share. You have to have something to share! If one wants to benefit from the heavenly treasures and be acceptable to God in the last judgment, one must take the initiative here on earth by using one s material goods for the doing of good works. 15 Doing the things mentioned in I Timothy 6 does not require that we neglect our material wellbeing. However, it does require that we put them second in our priorities recognizing that they have a temporal value whereas I Timothy 6 has eternal value. So, the proof that one is laying up treasure in heaven is not that one is attempting to have as little as possible in this life, but that one is attempting to invest as much as possible in the life to come. Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The Location of Wealth heart The first thing we need to look at here is the word heart. What does it mean? In our Western world we view it in romantic terms. However, that is unique to our era, not to the ancient history of the word. Καρδία refers thus to the inner person, the seat of understanding, knowledge, and will, and takes on as well the meaning conscience. 16 It 14 Clark International, 2004), Hans Dieter Betz, The Sermon on the Mount: A Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount, Including the Sermon on the Plain (Matthew 5:3-7:27 and Luke 6:20-49) (ed. Adela Yarbro Collins; Hermeneia a Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible; Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1995), Horst Robert Balz and Gerhard Schneider, Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1990 ), 250.

10 is the causative source of a person s psychological life in its various aspects, but with special emphasis upon thoughts heart, inner self, mind. 17 There is in the NT a rich usage of kardía [heart] for a. the seat of feelings, desires, and passions (e.g., joy, pain, love, desire, and lust; cf. Acts 2:26; Jn. 16:6; 2 Cor. 7:3; Rom. 10:1; 1:24); b. the seat of thought and understanding (cf. Mt. 7:21; Jn. 12:40; Acts 8:22; Mk. 11:23; Rev. 18:7; Rom. 1:21); c. the seat of the will (e.g., Acts 11:23; 2 Cor. 9:7; Lk. 21:14); and d. the religious center to which God turns, which is the root of religious life, and which determines moral conduct. 18 So we can see that heart in the Bible is not a word that was 1) primarily emotional in nature and not a word that had 2) any semblance of romance as a part of its meaning. Instead, it was a word that referred to 1) the inner part of a person, what we would today call a person s soul. It also referred to 2) the mind of a person, the center of one s thoughts. One author thinks there is no difference between heart (καρδία) and intellect (νοῦς). 19 This is because both translations are from the same Hebrew word. In summary, The heart represents the core of a person s being, the real inner person, the causative source of a person s spiritual, emotional, and psychological life. 20 All this is necessary background to understand this verse. The point is that the things most highly treasured occupy the heart, the center of the personality, embracing mind, emotions, and will and thus the most cherished treasure subtly but infallible controls the whole person s direction and values. 21 Where your heart is, there your treasure will be also. This is now the third time Jesus speaks of the heart. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8, ESV) But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:28, ESV) 17 Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), καρδία Gerhard Kittel, Gerhard Friedrich, and Geoffrey William Bromiley, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 1985), Hans Dieter Betz, The Sermon on the Mount: A Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount, Including the Sermon on the Plain (Matthew 5:3-7:27 and Luke 6:20-49) (ed. Adela Yarbro Collins; Hermeneia a Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible; Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1995), Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew (The NIV Application Commentary; Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2004), Carson, D. A. (1984). Matthew. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, p. 177). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

11 Jesus will again speak of the heart in a telling passage. But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. (Matthew 15:18 19, ESV) Reading the verse, one might wonder, why does it not read in reverse, where your heart is, there your treasure will be also? Logically speaking, thought and desire produce the motivation that results in the accumulation of treasure or wealth. The reason for the reversal of this logical order may be to direct us to look first at the result of one s life priorities and thereby be able to conclude where the heart has been all the while fixed on the flesh and the world instead of on God. if the treasure which you have gathered is upon earth, so will your heart, with its feelings, dispositions, and tendencies, be also upon the earth. From the treasure, which is the result of effort and the object of love, the heart also cannot be separated. 22 But will be is in the future, not the past, there your heart will be also. The affections of the heart, like a rolling snowball, acquire more and then desire more, and then acquire more and then desire more, and so it continues. The heart desires the wealth, and then it delights in the wealth it has acquired. And this heart condition remains until one steps into eternity to see the merit of such desires. And so the heart will ever be for all eternity fixed on that which it has desired. For some the treasure will endure and multiply, for others it will dissipate and be lost. And so, there your heart will be for eternity; it will delight with priorities wisely chosen, or it will grieve with the loss of all that was ever valued. What is in a person s heart is that which he values most and that which defines him best. So, the issue is not that one lays up treasure, it is that wherever that treasure might be, that is where your heart is. So, what do you cherish? For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (2 Corinthians 4:6 7, ESV) Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2 3, ESV) If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:1 2, ESV) choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth 22 Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Gospel of Matthew (ed. Frederick Crombie; trans. Peter Christie; vol. 1; Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament; Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1880), 216.

12 than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. (Hebrews 11:25 26, ESV) And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Blessed indeed, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them! (Revelation 14:13, ESV) According to the theology of Jesus, then, the decisive point in dealing with material goods is that of perspective. If one envisions one s life in the perspective of the treasures in heaven, this perspective will inform and guide the human heart, which in turn will decide what to do in one s daily life. 23 the treasure is eschatological and outside the heart, in heaven. The heart must direct itself toward that treasure, and the disciple must walk on the way toward the kingdom of God (7:13 14). Seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness will lead to the treasures in heaven (see 6:33). 24 one s treasure tells the tale of one s heart. A person is worth what the object of his heart is worth. 25 In this as in all the other areas of the Christian life the true solution does not lie in abstinence or withdrawal. It lies in the proper use and proper estimate of the things which God has provided. In other words, we are not called upon to relinquish things but rather use them under God s direction. We are to use them for the health and wellbeing of our family, for material aid to others, and for the great task of proclaiming the gospel and promoting Christian verities. 26 Two Visions (6:22-6:23) (Luke 11:33-36) What is this material all about? Standing by itself, this material does not easily suggest a purpose. But, like is so often the case, the context provides the answer, the pericopes on either side, both of which refer to concern with wealth. 27 With that in mind, we will look carefully at the options that address treasure and wealth. 23 Hans Dieter Betz, The Sermon on the Mount: A Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount, Including the Sermon on the Plain (Matthew 5:3-7:27 and Luke 6:20-49) (ed. Adela Yarbro Collins; Hermeneia a Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible; Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1995), Hans Dieter Betz, The Sermon on the Mount: A Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount, Including the Sermon on the Plain (Matthew 5:3-7:27 and Luke 6:20-49) (ed. Adela Yarbro Collins; Hermeneia a Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible; Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1995), Clark International, 2004), James Montgomery Boice, The Sermon on the Mount: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2002), Donald A. Hagner, Matthew 1 13 (vol. 33A; Word Biblical Commentary; Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1998), 158.

13 Jesus started this section with a discussion on two treasures, one temporal, and one eternal. He now expanse this material with a discussion on two visions, one good, one bad. Theories of Vision In the ancient world, their view of vision differs from what is commonly held today. A problem is introduced by today s exegetes when they assume the way we now think about vision is the way it has always been. That is not so. The ancient theory of vision is called the extramission theory, which is the proposal that visual perception is accomplished by rays of light emitted by the eyes, [like beams from a flashlight, or as they put it, a lamp]. This theory has been replaced by intromission theory, which states that visual perception comes from something representative of the object (later established to be rays of light reflected from it) entering the eyes. 28 In keeping with the then common understanding of how one sees, Jesus was speaking from the point of view of the extramission theory of vision, light proceeds from the inside to the outside. The vast majority of commentators have understood Mt 6:22 3 to mean that the eyes are like a window: light enters the body through the eye. This interpretation is anachronistic. 29 As a result, most commentaries incorrectly explain this verse in terms of light entering the eyes and illuminating the heart, allowing one to see either a good or a bad heart. In fact, the point here is the opposite, the good or bad of the heart is revealed by means of the light that leaves the heart especially in focusing on what the heart cherishes, the good or the bad. So, the usual reading of our text cannot be correct, for the following reasons. (1) Not only do ancient Jewish texts reflect the conviction that the eye contains its own light, but in T. Job 18:3 this notion is brought into connexion with the eye/lamp simile. (2) A lamp is not a medium through which light from another source is channelled to an otherwise dark place. A lamp is rather its own source of light. From this alone it follows that the eye/lamp comparison would be natural only for one holding an extramission theory of vision. 30 Matthew 6:22 The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy [good], [as a result] your whole body will be full of light, lamp A lamp cast rays of light, very much like our flashlights today. In this case the light is cast from within the person to that which is outside the person in order to light up the desires of one s heart. They imagined that the eye was like the sun, both being senders of rays. 31 The heart directs the eyes to what it desires Clark International, 2004), Clark International, 2004), Clark International, 2004), 635.

14 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, [it is because] your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, [it is because] your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light. (Luke 11:34 36, ESV) [morally] healthy 32 There is in the two words, healthy (v 22) and bad (v 23) a play on words. Both can refer to physiology, meaning either a healthy eye or an unhealthy eye, and both can refer to the moral, generous (v 22) or stingy (v 23). It appears to be the intent of Jesus to use the physiological as an analogy of the moral. Some have morally healthy vision and some morally unhealthy vision. In this verse the translation would be something like (morally) good eye (v 22) and in the next evil eye (v 23). when the evil eye and the good eye are contrasted the issue in most texts is malice, greed, envy, and calculating behavior vs. kindness, generosity, and uprightness. 33 Within the context, with the two treasures earlier (vs 19-21) and the two gods later (v 24), this context makes it abundantly clear that the two options are in fact generous (v 22) and stingy (v 23). The healthy eye in the Jewish culture is a generous eye. Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. (Proverbs 22:9, ESV) your whole body will be full of light When your eye is ἁπλοῦς [healthy] your whole body will be full of light means, a good eye is evidence of inner light. 34 The healthy eye did not let light in, it let light out. Because the inner person was full of light, the light or goodness of his soul is shown by means of what he chooses to look at. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light. (Luke 11:36, ESV) From their point of view, the lamp shown out, not in. the comparison never has to do with the eye conveying light to the inward parts. On the contrary, in all six instances it is used to create the picture of a light coming forth from the eye. 35 It obtained its light 32 ἁπλοῦς used of the eye as not seeing double as when it is diseased. When the eye accomplishes its purpose of seeing things as they are, then it is haploús, single, healthy, perfect. Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers. 33 Ulrich Luz, Matthew 1 7: A Commentary on Matthew 1 7 (ed. Helmut Koester; Rev. ed.; Hermeneia a Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible; Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2007), Clark International, 2004), Clark International, 2004), 636.

15 from within. The eye gives you light by allowing you to see where you are about to walk, casting its light before you. Just as the healthy, good eye sends light into the world, so too do the righteous, filled with the light of God, dispel the shades around them. They are like a lamp that gives light to its environment. Which is to say: the picture is not of light coming in but of light going out. 36 We don t think this way today and it is therefore easy for us to reverse it. Matthew 6:23 but if your eye is bad [evil], [as a result] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! bad 37 In view of the recognized meaning of the bad eye to denote selfish greed or meanness, it seems likely that this saying is meant to indicate that one indication of a person s spiritual health is their generosity or lack of it in the use of their material possessions. 38 A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him. (Proverbs 28:22, ESV) your whole body will be full of darkness What is involved is the antithesis of generosity: selfishness, covetousness, an evil and envious disposition, hatred of others. 39 The darkness was not a product of an eye that did not let light in, the darkness was an inner condition and the only thing that could shine forth from an evil eye was darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! If what is within you is darkness, then that is what will shine out. However, if there is in fact no light shining out, then the darkness is indeed great. How can light be darkness? light is put for the human wisdom of the natural man, which is darkness. 40 So the evil eye lets out what turns out to be bad things, greed, which in fact is actually darkness, not light. There is a play on words, what one thinks is light, something very good, turns out to be something very bad, darkness of soul. 36 Clark International, 2004), πονηρός pertaining to possessing a serious fault and consequently being worthless bad, worthless. Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Vol. 1: Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: Based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition.) (623). New York: United Bible Societies. 38 France, R. T. (2007). The Gospel of Matthew (p. 262). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co. 39 Clark International, 2004), Ethelbert William Bullinger, Figures of Speech Used in the Bible (London; New York: Eyre & Spottiswoode; E. & J. B. Young & Co., 1898), 817.

16 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. (Ephesians 4:18, ESV) If you have an evil eye, if you are stingy and greedy, then in fact you are in darkness, blind to that which is of eternal significance. Mt 6:23a b, accordingly, tells us that just as a good eye, a proper disposition towards others, is an effect of the light within, so similarly is a bad eye, that is, a selfish, ungenerous, miserly spirit, the companion of inner darkness. Or, to put it another way, while inner light leads to loving one s neighbour, inner darkness leads to illiberality and niggardliness. 41 As you can see, this story of the generous eye and the stingy eye, the two lamps, is a perfect expansion on the story of the two treasures just discussed. 41 Clark International, 2004), 640.