Matt 6: (KJV) 19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Every time I have heard this scripture preached, it has been used as a warning against materialism. Even to the extreme of suggesting money is bad, and if you have too much of it, you are bad.
But was that the original focus of this verse?
When Jesus says, "Lay not up treasure on earth," could it be that this is a warning against holding too tightly to whatever you have (how little or much it may be), rather than a mere warning against obtaining material blessing (however it may arrive)."
Let's take a fresh look at this familiar passage together, with the Lord's help. |
