Matthew 6:19

Saturday, 11 January 2025

 

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; Matthew 6:19

 

“You amass, not – yourselves – treasures upon the earth, where moth and an eating – it evaporates, and where stealers – they tunnel, and they steal” (CG).

 

In the previous verse, Jesus explained what was correct concerning proper fasting. He finished that thought with the idea of being rewarded by the Father. Now, He builds on that, beginning with, “You amass, not – yourselves – treasures upon the earth.”

 

The rewards from the Father are where the true treasures lie. What we amass here is earthly and, thus, temporary and fleeting. In this clause, He introduces a word into the New Testament, the verb thésaurizó, to story up, treasure up, save up, etc. A single English word that carries these ideas is amass.

 

This verb stems from the noun thésauros which was first used in Matthew 2:11 and which is used again here, translated as “treasures.” One can see the etymological connection of both words to our modern word thesaurus. Of this verb, the Strong’s Lexicon says –

 

“In the ancient Greco-Roman world, wealth was often measured by one's ability to accumulate and store goods, such as grain, precious metals, and other valuables. The concept of storing treasures was not only a practical concern but also a reflection of one's status and security. In the Jewish context, treasure could also refer to spiritual wealth, such as wisdom and righteousness, which were seen as more enduring than material wealth.”

 

Nothing has changed in this regard. People amass wealth in various ways as if it is a means to an end. But there is no useful end when such things cannot be taken beyond the day of one’s death. Jesus is telling His disciples not to treasure up such treasure upon the earth. One of the problems with such wealth is that such is “where moth and an eating – it evaporates.”

 

Two more new words are found here. The first is sés, moth. It is believed to come from the Hebrew word meaning moth, sas, which is found only in Isaiah 51:8. The second new word is brósis, a word almost always translated as “rust,” but that is an explanatory paraphrase. This word is derived from the verb bibróskó, to eat. Thus, it signifies the food one eats. The noun form would be “eating” as in “That durian fruit is a delicious eating.”

 

Jesus is telling the disciples that moth and an eating will cause the wealth to evaporate. It is the same word, aphanizó, that was used in verse 6:16 to describe the pall-like faces of those who fast for everyone to see. Jesus finishes the words of this verse, saying, “and where stealers – they tunnel, and they steal.”

 

Again, three new words are found in this single clause. The first is kleptés, a stealer or thief. Next comes the word diorussó, to dig through or break through. Of this word, Strong’s Lexicon says –

 

“In the ancient Near East, homes were often constructed with mud-brick walls, which could be relatively easily breached by thieves. The act of ‘digging through’ a wall was a common method for burglars to enter a house and steal valuables. This cultural context highlights the vulnerability of earthly treasures and the need for vigilance.”

 

As such, a single English word that properly conveys the intent is the verb form of “tunnel.” When one tunnels through a wall, he gains access to the treasures inside. And that leads to the third new word, the verb kleptó, to steal. It is the basis of the noun kleptés that was just used.  One can see the etymological root of klepto, kleptomaniac, and other associated words that we use today.

 

Jesus is explaining to His disciples the futility of storing up things that can be stolen away through the physical corruption of the items or the moral corruption of others who are bent on taking such for themselves.

 

Life application: Jesus has told His disciples that they should not store up wealth for themselves. And yet, elsewhere, Paul says –

 

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19

 

Paul does not say they cannot have wealth, but not to be haughty or trust in their wealth. This sounds like a contradiction to Jesus’ words about not storing up wealth. But the context says it is not. Jesus is not commanding us to not have wealth.

 

He is instructing on what is of value. He will do this throughout the synoptic gospels, speaking to those under the law about what should be the priorities of life. When He dies in fulfillment of the law, the age of Grace will come through the New Covenant. The things that are impossible for man under the law are set aside.

 

The man who is not under law but under grace should have the proper priorities to act responsibly, understanding that he was saved by grace and that this world is a temporary steppingstone to the true riches that lie ahead. The resurrection of Jesus Christ assures us of this.

 

O God, we are grateful for every blessing You bless us with in this life. Some of us may have great wealth, but help us to remember that such things are not where our hope lies. It is all temporary and fleeting. Our true hope lies in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which reminds us that we, too, will be brought to You through His work on our behalf. Help us to always live with this in mind. Amen.