Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples, “ when you fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But you, when you fastest, anoint your head, and wash your face; That you appear not unto men to fast, but unto your Father which is in secret: and you Father, which sees in secret, shall reward you openly, and in chapter six and verse nineteen of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples, “lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth” where we read:
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust does corrupt,
and where thieves break through and steal:
The verse reads, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, ...” Matthew began with the words, “lay not up” which means “do not gather, heap, store or accumulate” “for yourselves” or “for your own selves” “treasures” which means “storehouses, repositories, magazines and collected valuables” “upon earth” or “on the arable land, territory, country and region”, “where moth” or “in the place of clothing moths” “and rust” which means “and eating corrosion” “corrupt” or “snatches out of sight, puts out of view, makes unseen, causes to vanish, destroys, consumes and disfigures”. Jesus instructed His disciples not to “store up” “valuables” which may be “moth and rust” eaten and consumed.
The verse goes on to say, “... and where thieves break through and steal.” Matthew added the words, “and where” or “and in the place” “thieves” which means “embezzlers, pilferers and those who steal” “break through” or “dig through and penetrate like burglars” “and steal” which refers to “commit theft, take away by stealth or filch”. Jesus added those who “steal” valuables to the list of reasons why His disciples should not “store” them up on earth.
When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus has specifically mentioned the temporary nature of “valuables” that are related to this earth. “Moths, rust and thieves” can take away these “treasures” either immediately or over time. God desires a relationship with every person who will put their faith and trust in His Son Jesus, and there is no greater “treasure” in the world. All the other “valuables” are to be known for their fleeing nature and their tendency to vanish away.
Next time Jesus tells His disciples “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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