Commentary on the Gospel of
Matthew 6:19-23 True treasure for eternal security
Our Lord Jesus Christ encourages us to avoid the things that moth can destroy – warning us against pleasures that wear out like old suites! Furthermore, he asks us to Keep away from the things that rust can destroy – warning us against pleasures that erode away like rusted iron. The implication is obvious: do not get attached to the temporal, perishable things! These days tendencies to excel in life concentrate excessive energy on the best buildings, most modern vehicles, latest fashions, etc. We all know that these items are important, but they are meant to serve rather than become objects to be ‘worshipped.’ They provide security but their security is completely temporal! We need and deserve eternal security!
Our Lord advises us to store up treasures in heaven where the security is rest assured! Your savings should be built upon your charitable works, your merciful acts, your kind gestures, your forgiving and letting-go approaches to live experiences. All these are storable treasures in the heavenly account. These virtues constitute the heavenly treasure and they keep us on track with Jesus’ modelling. ‘He went about doing good’ – teaching eternal values, healing the sick, feeding the impoverished, forgiving the aggressors, restoring victims of violence to new life, etc. All these he accomplished freely and out of love. Indeed, a single treasure lies behind all of them, namely love. Lord Jesus Christ, help us to love as you loved, amen.
