Matthew 6:19-34 Studies

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each chapter is divided into a number of studies and each study or passage has a simple four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Matthew 6:19-24

A. Find out:

1. What is wrong with storing earthly treasures? v.19

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

2. What are we to do instead? v.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.

3. Where will your heart be? v.21

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

4. Why are your eyes important? v.22,23

“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!

5. What cannot you do? v.24a

“No one can serve two masters

6. How is that expressed specifically? v.24c

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.

B. Think:

1. What are the two opposite goals in life that a person can have?
2. Why is it impossible to go for them both at once?
3. In this context, why do you think our eyes are so important?

C. Comment:

Continuing to major on spiritual realities, Jesus now focuses on our very motivation in life. The motivation of most in the world is to make money and gain possessions for physical well-being. This, says Jesus, is a short term goal, because such treasure will either wear out, be broken or destroyed or be stolen. In other words, it won’t last!

The alternative is to aim for things of eternal value, the knowledge of the Lord and the experience of life led by Him. These things cannot be taken away: goodness, righteousness, holiness, love, joy, peace in Him. Whichever of these “treasures” you go for in life shows where your heart is.

This is also revealed by what goes into your mind through your eyes. Is it feasting on window shopping or catalogues (materialism), and filling your mind with unrighteous TV programs for so-called pleasure purposes (hedonism). That leaves your life in darkness.

These two ways are opposites and you cannot go for materialism AND for the kingdom of God; they are strict opposites. One makes money a god and places reliance upon having goods, the other worships God and relies upon Him entirely.

D. Application?

1. Our motivation in life can be material things or spiritual realities.
2. The two don’t mix! Don’t fool yourself!

Passage: Matthew 6:25-30

A. Find out:

1. What are we not to worry about? v.25a

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.

2. What is more important than food or clothes? v.25b

Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

3. What are we to realize about the birds? v.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?

4. What doesn’t worrying do? v.27

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

5. What are we to look at? v.28,29

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

6. To what conclusion? v.30

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

B. Think:

1. What are the natural worries of this world?
2. What is the primary means that Jesus uses to overcome worry?
3. What secondary reason does he give against worry?

C. Comment:

Having just counselled against the materialistic life and for the life of trusting God, Jesus as a good Pastor addresses the probable concern in the hearts of his disciples: that’s all very well but how will I live? How will I be clothed and fed?

Jesus’ main response to this is to remind them that everything they see in creation is provided for by God. He is first of all a providing God, that is what Creation is, His provision for us. So, says Jesus, let this come clearly into your minds, your heavenly Father provides for the birds and you are so much more important to Him than them, so don’t worry for he will provide for you also.

A second very simple reason against worrying is also given by Jesus: it doesn’t do any good, it doesn’t achieve anything!

In Philippians 4:6 Paul similarly said, don’t worry but instead tell your loving heavenly Father all about it in prayer. The key to Christian peace is resting in the love of God, assured that a) He cares and so b) He will provide. How we need these words at the end of the twentieth century when life seems so filled with worry and care and anxiety!

D. Application?

1. All of Creation shouts out to us that God loves us and provides for us.
2. If God provides for birds, He WILL provide that much more for me!

Passage: Matthew 6:31-34

A. Find out:

1. What sort of things cause people to worry? v.31

So do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?’ or `What shall we drink?’ or `What shall we wear?’

2. Who worry like this? v.32a

For the pagans run after all these thing

3. But what should we rest in? v.32b

your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

4. What 2 things are we to seek? v.33a

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness

5. Then what will happen? v.33b

and all these things will be given to you as well.

6. So what are we not to worry about? v.34

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

B. Think:

1. How is it clear that the worries of today are the worries that have always been around?
2. How are Christians to be positive in their approaches to life?
3. How will this overcome worry?

C. Comment:

In this passage where Jesus is counselling his followers not to worry but to rest in Father’s provision, he first of all highlights the things people DO worry about, either how to survive and get food and clothing, or if you have wealth, simply how to spend it on what food or clothing. These are very basic concerns for us all.

However, says Jesus, your Father knows you need them so just rest in His love for you in the sure knowledge that He will provide for you. Instead of worrying about such things and showing doubt in God’s loving provision, seek for His will and His rule in any circumstance. Look for His righteous activity that will bring righteousness in you as well, he continues, and if you do this you will find that while you are concentrating on these things, your heavenly Father will be providing all you need anyway.

Finally, he concludes, don’t keep on worrying about tomorrow, what might or might not happen, what you might or might not have. Instead just look after what is happening today, that is sufficient for you. Just rest in Father’s love and provision today, and leave tomorrow to be worked out on the same basis (implied).

D. Application?

1. Go all out for God’s will today, and let Him meet your needs.

2. God is love, therefore…..