“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 31“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’32For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.(Mt 6:19-20, 31–34)
Trouble-free Christianity? No such thing in the mind of Jesus? Jesus tells us that each day has its fair share of trouble, ”Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.“
But what “trouble” is in view here? In the immediate context of Jesus’ address, the subject matter at hand concerns being troubled (i.e. worry) over two categories of life. First, the basic necessities of life like food and clothing (Matt 6:31-32). Compared to the rest of the world, we in the West face less anxiety if we will eat today, but even this is changing as those living in poverty has reached an all time high in the US, especially children (see here).
Treasures:
The second category is trouble over treasures (Matt 6:19). What treasures? we think to ourselves. My mind naturally conjures up images of pirate chests of gold and large family inheritances of money and land. Yet, I have a sense that treasures simply speak of anything we value beyond basic necessities. In other words, those with treasures are not “those other rich people” but us. Jesus was speaking to us, those with treasures, or things that have an objective value to us day to day. What are these treasures? Things like our vehicle, phone, computer, garage door, water heater and more. These are things that are valuable to us, our treasures.
In the passage above, Jesus links worrying with our treasures. Well, for our family, this last week (month?) has been cause for much trouble over treasures. Yes, my above list is not merely an arbitrary laundry list, but “treasures” which have either broken partially or fully in recent days. As each day unfolded, a new treasure broke resulting worry over fixing or replacing that treasure.
Of course, it is not “bad” to want to fix our treasures. The danger comes when we are troubled more by broken treasures now than we are troubled by broken treasure in the age to come (kingdom of heaven). Therefore Jesus warns us that every day will have trouble, both basic necessities and treasures.
In the midst of treasure trouble Jesus invites us to worry more about treasure in His kingdom. My tendency is to seek Him first to fix my treasure.
This sort of trouble will not end, but continues assuredly each day. He implores us to not set our heart upon a trouble-free treasure day because it is a pipe dream. If we do this, we will never get around to seeking first an inheritance in His coming kingdom which is in accord with our righteousness. In the midst of treasure trouble Jesus invites us to worry more about treasure in His kingdom. My tendency is to seek Him first to fix my treasure. When I become treasure troubled, I subtly allow the cares of this life to choke the life-changing power of the word from my heart (Matt 13:22). When the implanted word of God is choked, my inward transformation is stunted, and my future kingdom inheritance endangered (James 1:21, Matt 13:23). Knowing that each day will be filled with trouble, Jesus, in all of His tender directness, beckons us to to seek treasure in His Kingdom first. Whether our trouble is due to the breaking of our treasures or the basic necessities of life, He invites us as He did David, “Seek My face“, to which our hearts cry out, “Your face, LORD, we will seek!” (Ps. 27:7-9).
Question: What treasures have troubled you lately? Did you maintain a focus of seeking heavenly treasure in the midst of it? Why or why not? Leave your comments below.
Your blog needs a like button! So good… I find myself treasuring people’s opinion of me or my own opinion of myself … I worry about doing well in the eyes of everyone but the one who sees all things perfectly… Remembering that he knows me and leads me for his name sake (not for my reputation but never the less for my good) has brought me comfort and courage to seek him first and brought me out of my navel gazing worry fest.
Colin, thanks for the reply! I took your advice and added some “liking” options. Blessings to you.
Good reminder Matt. The impending pressures of all that is needed and “expected” (two different things) within American culture for a baby and family can be weighty. House, diapers, food, car seat, and the list just goes on and on. It seems like having a family and living to seek “eternal treasures” is so much more complicated than when you are single or even married without children. If my tummy goes hungry thats fine, but what happens when its my little baby’s hunger? I am fine taking cold showers. But how do you make the decision to continue to live like you do when it effects more than just you but your family and your children? How do you explain to your children “living for eternal treasures” and the why of what you do? I think it is one of the greatest gifts that can be given to a child. That he/she lives within the context of having every comfort and ease at his/her finger tips but instead chooses and recognizes willfully the richness of knowing Christ and seeking first His kingdom. To me it seems like a miracle preformed by the holy spirit and word of God in the human heart that must be said yes to daily and some days by the second. This is my hope that one day the twinkling treasures will be swallowed up with the bright morning star who will come and be the light of the city, but until that day I need grace to stay in the narrow way by setting my gaze on Him.
Lara, these are really good thoughts and questions to ponder with Jesus. I really appreciate you sharing. Provoked me, keep it comin’