Scripture Reading:

Matthew 6:19-34, ESV

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

“No one can serve two masters, for 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 God and money.

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Introduction 

In our home, we don’t watch much TV. With a three-year-old, it’s mostly “Sesame Street” or “VeggieTales,” and once she’s asleep, we enjoy the quiet. But when my wife and I did watch more, we enjoyed a show called “Antiques Roadshow.” If you’ve never seen it, people bring in old items (paintings, jewelry, furniture, etc.) hoping they’re valuable. Experts examine them, revealing whether they’re hidden treasures or just sentimental keepsakes with no real worth. That moment of revelation, when something’s true value is exposed, is what makes the show so captivating.  

In a way, life is a lot like “Antiques Roadshow.” We all have things we treasure; goals we chase, priorities we pursue. We all have our own “treasures.” These are the things that we invest our time, energy, and resources into, the things that we believe matter most. But what if, in the light of eternity, we’ve been valuing the wrong things? What if, on the day of judgment, it’s not furniture or heirlooms being appraised, but our very lives? What if we discover that we spent our days chasing after things that, in the end, amounted to nothing more than dust in the wind? It’s a sobering thought, one that should cause us to pause and reflect. In today’s passage, Jesus teaches us how to recognize what truly lasts, so that we are not left standing on the last day realizing we traded a heavenly kingdom for an empire of dirt. 

I. The Two Measuring Rods for Life 

The world measures success by wealth, possessions, and status. We strive after things that can be counted, accumulated, and displayed. But Jesus warns, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15, ESV). Material success may appear fulfilling, yet it never truly satisfies. Many sacrifice integrity, relationships, and even their souls in pursuit of wealth, only to find it empty. Jesus exposes the frailty of earthly riches, saying, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19, ESV).  

In Jesus’ time, wealth was often stored in fine clothes, precious metals, and grain—yet moths could destroy garments, rust could corrode metal, and food could spoil. Even valuables hidden at home were vulnerable to thieves. Today, the threats have changed, but the principle remains the same. Fortunes can vanish overnight in a market crash, possessions can be lost in a natural disaster, and power fades with time. Yet people still chase after wealth as if it somehow guarantees security.  

This is the great paradox of Western Christianity: how do we reconcile Christ’s call to “deny yourself” (Luke 9:23, ESV) with a culture that glorifies self-indulgence? The world tells us to gain as much as we can, but Jesus asks, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36, ESV). The world says, “Get ahead or be left behind,” but Jesus teaches, “Many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 19:30, ESV). The world tells us to seek life in our own success, but Jesus warns, “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39, ESV).  

Instead of pursuing temporary wealth, Jesus calls us to store up eternal treasures: “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:20, ESV). But what are these treasures? They are not material things but the eternal rewards of a life shaped by Christ—love, humility, faithfulness. They are found in investing in people rather than possessions, for relationships in Christ last forever (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). They are found in using our resources for God’s glory rather than personal gain (Matthew 25:21). Unlike earthly riches, these treasures cannot be lost or stolen, and they bring lasting fulfillment.  

Paul exhorts the wealthy, “Set your hope not on riches, but on God… be rich in good works, be generous and ready to share, storing up treasure for the future, so that you may take hold of that which is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19, ESV). True life is not found in money but in knowing and trusting God. This is why Jesus warns, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21, ESV). Our hearts follow what we treasure—if we live for wealth, our thoughts and energy will be consumed by financial security and material gain. But if our treasure is in heaven, our hearts will be fixed on God’s kingdom, shaping our desires, decisions, and priorities accordingly.  

This is why Scripture repeatedly warns against the love of money. Wealth itself is not evil, but placing our trust in wealth is spiritually dangerous. Paul echoes this, “Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation… the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” (1 Timothy 6:9-10, ESV). In the end, what we treasure most will define our lives and determine our eternity.

II. The Danger of Divided Loyalties  

Sadly, most people are so consumed with immediate pursuits that they rarely consider their final destination. Even Christians are not immune to this danger. Jesus warns that we cannot follow Him while also living for ourselves. Jesus teaches, “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness… No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:22-24, ESV). In ancient thought, the eye was a gateway through which light entered the body. A “healthy” eye, in the Greek sense, is not just physically well. It signifies undivided focus and wholehearted devotion to God. Conversely, a “bad” or “evil” eye was a common Jewish metaphor for greed and selfish ambition (Proverbs 28:22; Matthew 20:15). It represented a corrupted vision, seeing the world through the lens of materialism and self-interest.  Jesus’ warning is clear: when our spiritual sight is distorted, our entire being is plunged into darkness. And if the very thing meant to bring light becomes darkness, how can we hope to see clearly? 

Jesus then makes His point unmistakable: “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24, ESV). Notice He does not say, “You should not” or “It is difficult”—He says, “You cannot.” In Jesus’ day, a servant belonged entirely to one master. Attempting to serve two would create constant conflict and contradiction. “Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” Love here means full commitment, while “hate” implies rejection or prioritization of one over the other.  

Consider a husband who claims to love his wife but constantly pursues other women. No matter how often he professes his love, his actions prove otherwise. In the same way, when we continually prioritize worldly desires over Christ, we show Him not love, but rejection.  

Finally, Jesus declares, “You cannot serve God and Mammon.” Mammon, an Aramaic word for wealth and material gain, is personified as a rival master. Again, wealth itself is not evil. It is a tool that can be used for good or harm. But when it becomes our source of security, the focus of our ambitions, or the measure of our success, it enslaves us.  

Jesus’ words challenge us to examine our hearts. Where is our focus? Who truly rules our lives? If our spiritual vision is clouded and our loyalties are divided, we cannot serve God fully. But if our eyes are fixed on Christ, with undivided devotion, we will walk in the light of His truth and grace.

III. The Call to Trust in God’s Provision  

Now Jesus knows the human heart. As the author of Hebrews reminds us, “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses” (Hebrews 4:12, ESV). Many of us worry about finances, the economy, inflation, and having enough for ourselves and our families. Some of these teachings about heavenly treasures sound nice in principle, but we have bills to pay. College is expensive. We’d like to be able to retire at some point. Is Jesus being unreasonable in all of this?

Jesus never said following him was easy. His teachings do not come naturally to us. Jesus does not merely suggest that we should trust in God’s provision, He commands it. And His reasoning is not rooted in blind faith, but in clear, compelling evidence of God's faithfulness. 

Here’s the hard truth: we do not know what tomorrow holds for us, but if we live in a constant state of fear and anxiety, we will never be generous. We will never be able to prioritize the Kingdom of God if we live in constant fear of losing our own little kingdoms, which are here today and gone tomorrow. No, our task is not to live in a state of worry, but to seek first the Kingdom of God, knowing that He will provide for all our needs.

Jesus declares: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25, ESV).

The phrase “Therefore I tell you” connects this teaching to the preceding verse where Jesus warns against serving two masters, God and money. If our ultimate allegiance is to God, then we must trust that He will care for us. Jesus does not say, “Try not to worry.” He does not say, “Do your best to avoid worry.” He says, “do not be anxious.” It is a command. Anxiety about material things is not just a burden; it is a lapse into disobedience. When was the last time you repented of your anxiety? I think anxiety comes so naturally to us in our anxious age that we don’t even register it in our minds as a sin. But what is anxiety if not momentary disbelief in God's goodness?

To counter this tendency in our hearts, Jesus provides two examples to emphasize God’s ever present goodness and care. “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26, ESV).

Birds do not engage in the kind of work that humans do, they do not plant, they do not harvest, they do not store up resources for themselves. And yet, they are fed. Not by accident. Not by their own ability to cultivate food, but by the provision of God. And if God takes care of the birds, how much more will He care for those whom He created in His image? And then Jesus asks, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:27, ESV). Worry does not lengthen life, it shortens it. Worry does not solve problems, it creates them. Anxiety is not productive; it is destructive.

Jesus continues, “And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these” (Matthew 6:28-29, ESV). If God clothes the flowers of the field with beauty beyond human craftsmanship, will He not also clothe His children? Flowers are here today and gone tomorrow, yet God adorns them with splendor. How much more will He provide for those whom He has redeemed through the blood of His Son?

Jesus then makes a striking statement: “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:30, ESV). At the core of anxiety is a lack of trust in God. Jesus is not merely giving a comforting message; He is rebuking the smallness of our faith. To worry about provision is to doubt God’s ability to care for His own. Faith is not just for salvation, it is for daily sustenance. The God who provides for eternity certainly provides for today.

Jesus then draws a sharp distinction between His disciples and the rest of the world: “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all” (Matthew 6:31-32, ESV).

If we claim to follow Christ but live in constant worry, we are acting like unbelievers. I didn’t say we are unbelievers if we feel anxious, only that we are acting and thinking like unbelievers if we allow our anxiety to drive us more than faith in our Heavenly Father. Jesus is calling us to a different standard, to live in the confidence of being children of the Most High.

Now if you are a naturally anxious person you know that being told “stop worrying” is one of the least helpful things a person can tell you. Jesus understands this. He tells us not to worry. He tells us why we have no need to worry. And then he gives us the solution to worry: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33, ESV).

This is not a promise of material wealth or a guarantee of a trouble-free life. It is a promise of divine provision for those who make God’s kingdom their priority. Seeking the kingdom means aligning our hearts with God’s will. It means pursuing righteousness, loving others, living generously, and trusting God to meet our needs. If you find yourself wringing your hands with anxiety, the solution is to busy your body and mind with other things, better things, kingdom things. People fret and worry about the things they have no control over, but I am convinced that if everyone focused on doing good with the little things that are in their control, then the big things beyond their control would work themselves out in time. You might be tempted to say “but there is nothing I can do.” Can you pray? What is a better use of our time, running the treadmill of anxiety or taking our concerns to our heavenly Father in prayer? You can always do something. Every minute we spend worrying is a minute we don’t spend doing good for God, ourselves, and others. 

And if you are sill worried about your needs, look again at what Jesus says. Jesus doesn’t say God “might” provide your needs. He says “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33, ESV). That is a guarantee. He doesn’t say you will have everything you want if you follow him, but if you follow Him God will provide everything you need. 

Jesus concludes with a final encouragement: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34, ESV). Worrying about tomorrow does not change tomorrow, it only ruins today. Jesus calls us to live in daily dependence, trusting that God’s mercies are new every morning. Each day has enough trouble of its own. But each day also has enough grace.

Conclusion  

As we conclude, I’d like to offer both a warning and an invitation. Mammon can be a useful tool, but a cruel master, offering security only to those who remain useful, but abandoning the weak, the sick, and the aged. It demands self-preservation, compelling its servants to hoard and strive for fleeting wealth. But God’s economy is different. In His kingdom, provision is not found in material stockpiles but in His faithful care and the generosity of His people. Jesus calls us to trust in what truly lasts, eternal treasures, not temporary wealth. True faith transforms our hearts and our communities, replacing greed with generosity and fear with trust. 

Are you living by the world's definition of security, or by Christ’s call to seek first the Kingdom of God? When His kingdom comes in fullness, both poverty and riches will vanish, and only what was done for eternity will remain. What treasure are you storing up today? If you have not yet given your life over to the King of Kings and experienced the richness of His mercy and love, I am going to as you to come down during our time of invitation to find me after the services so that we can get our priorities straight and I can introduce you to the greatest treasure.