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Where can we find peace in our fast-paced culture full of schedules, deadlines, bills, & worries? Today we discover how Jesus answers those who have been distracted from what matters most.

The rich are tempted to trust their possessions. The poor are tempted to doubt God’s provision. Each is in danger of being distracted by what they do have or what they don’t have.

Those who live to store up treasures on earth should recognize that the stuff we own won’t be ours forever; it will be destroyed or taken by another. In Jesus’ day, expensive clothing & grain in storehouses were considered treasures.

MOTH In Jesus’ day a person’s clothing often demonstrated wealth (1 Tim. 2:9 - Paul warns against dressing to show off wealth). No matter how expensive the clothing was, a moth could deposit eggs and the larvae could quickly chew through it. 

VERMIN While most Bibles translate this term as rust, this Greek word refers to anything that consumes and destroys - it can refer to oxidation eats metals or insects & rodents that eat food. This term is used in the Septuagint (Greek translation of Hebrew text) referring to insects eating the farm crops (Mal 3:11).

THIEVES In the ancient world a person’s valuables (treasures) were often buried under house floors since thieves could burrow through the clay walls of homes of carry off the family savings.

• The luxuries that people live for are all temporary. 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Verse 21)

• 16 of the 38 parables Jesus told talk about how to handle money and possessions. The stuff we own reveals something about our hearts - it reveals WHAT or WHO owns us.  
• Followers of Jesus should be more interested in being CONTRIBUTORS than CONSUMERS. 

If your eye is healthy it results in light; you can clearly see what is in front of you; but if your eye is diseased (e.g. cataracts) it results in darkness; you see life in a blurry, distorted way. This language (healthy vs. diseased eyes) is Hebrew imagery, not to denote WHAT a person sees, but HOW a person sees, through the lenses of generosity or greed. 

• Healthy/good eye represents generosity in the Old Testament. Diseased/evil eye represents greed. 

[See the LSB word-for-word translation compared to thought-for-thought rendering as "greedy" (CSB) or "stingy" (NET, ESV, NIV)]

Warren Wiersbe: “Wealth can be enjoyed and employed at the same time if our purpose is to honor God.”

Although unusual, there were cases where a slave was owned by 2 brothers or even multiple owners (e.g. demon possessed fortune teller in Acts 16:16, 19). “Hate” and “despise” is the same language used when Jesus says, 

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.” (Lk 14:26)

Hate and despise is hyperbolic language to clarify WHO has 1st place in our lives. Money is not our master and we are not devoted to our stuff. Instead, we love God and are devoted to Him - HE is our Master.

• What do YOU stop giving to when things get tight?
• If others saw how we used our money & stuff, would they conclude that wealth was a TOOL or our GOAL? 

Jesus points to birds to remind His audience how God provides for animals on a daily basis. Maybe the next time you see a bird feeding you’ll be reminded…how God provides everyday for YOU!!!

Jesus reminds His audience that God values people much more than animals. If God gives daily provision for animals...He will certainly provide for His crowning creation - those created in His image! 

Worry does us no good, except to DISTRACT us from the truth - that you can TRUST your Heavenly Father!

• Some translations use “cubit” instead of hour, but Jesus here “refers not to adding a ‘mere' cubit to one’s height—which would be a considerable addition!—but to adding a ‘mere' cubit to one’s longevity.”

As God clothes the ordinary grass with the beautiful flowers…remember…YOU are His crowning creation! YOU are created in His image! 

• The next time you you see the growing plants or feeding birds…remember that God provides for them…and He cares more about providing for you!

Picture from our trip to Israel (from mountainside looking toward Sea of Galilee)

• Worrying about the necessities of life is a WASTE of time & energy - pagans (i.e. unbelievers) worry. 
• Followers of Jesus trust that our Heavenly Father knows and will provide for what you need! Your children probably don't worry about whether they will have enough food, drink, or clothes, because YOU...the good parent takes care of all that. 
• Instead of worrying, do YOUR part (study, prepare, pray, work hard) and trust God to do His part. 

Don’t get distracted by all that other stuff - Keep your EYES on the KING and His KINGDOM.

Leonard Ravenhill - “Are the things you are living for worth Jesus dying for?”

Thank your Father for daily provision. 

• Really thank your Father before your meal. 
• Fill up that glass of water and THANK HIM for this most important yet least appreciated provision. 
• Instead of struggling over which clothes to wear from your closet, THANK HIM that you have some!!!

Be generous (not greedy) with your time, talents, & treasure. 

• Are you giving your time & talents to serve others & further the Kingdom? How about your treasure? How are you using your home, vehicle, & funds to serve others & further the Kingdom?

Seek the King and His KINGDOM. 

• Open the Scriptures to know Who Jesus is and what Jesus says.
• Practice God’s Presence. (Live like you believe He is with you.)
• Share the hope of Jesus with another person made in His image.

Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

1. What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching? (Look back in your notes to help explain your answer.)
2. What are your top three worries? How does WORRY affect us emotionally, physically, and spiritually?
3. Read Matthew 6:19. 16 of the 38 parables Jesus told talk about how to handle money and possessions. Why do YOU THINK that is?
4. Read Matthew 6:20-21. What are some ways that we can store up treasures in heaven? What did Jesus mean by saying, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”? Give some examples how the use of our time, talents, and treasure show us whether we are living for what will last beyond this side of life.
5. Read Matthew 6:25-30. What plant and animal examples does Jesus point to in order to show God’s provision? What difference does Jesus mention between plants, animals, and US? How might appreciating the beauty of flowers growing or birds feeding help you trust God’s desire & ability to provide for your daily needs?
6. Read Matthew 6:31-34. What does it mean to seek God’s Kingdom first? What’s the promise for those who do that and how should this encourage us?
7. What needs do you have that brothers/sisters here might be able to help you with?
8. Look at today’s FEET2FAITH challenges & share some practical suggestions could help you focus on living for what will last.
9. Share prayer needs and pray for one another.