Matthew 6:19

19 "Don't lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal;

Matthew 6:19 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 6:19

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth
Meaning either treasures that are of an earthly nature and kind, the more valuable and excellent things of the earth, worldly wealth and riches; or the things and places, in which these are laid up, as bags, chests, or coffers, barns and other treasuries, private or public. Christ here dissuades from covetousness, and worldly mindedness; an anxious care and concern, to hoard up plenty of worldly things for themselves, for time to come, making no use of them at present for the good of others: and this he does, from the nature of the things themselves; the places where they are laid up; the difficulty of keeping them; and their liableness to be corrupted or lost.

Where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and
steal.
Garments, formerly, were a considerable part of the treasures of great men, as well as gold and silver; see ( Job 27:16 ) . So according to the ^F13 Targumist, Haman is bid to go (aklmd yzng tybl) , "to the king's treasury", and take from thence one of the purple garments, the best, and raiment of the best silk and these were liable to be eaten with the moth, ( James 5:2 ) . The word translated rust, does not here signify the rust of metals, as gold and silver; by which there is not so much damage done, so as to destroy them, and make them useless; but whatever corrupts and consumes things eatable, as blasting and mildew in corn, or any sort of vermin in granaries: for gold and silver, or money, with jewels and precious stones, which make a very great part of worldly treasure, seem to be more particularly designed, by what thieves break through into houses for, and carry away. So that here are three sorts of earthly treasures pointed at, which are liable to be corrupted, or taken away: garments, which may be destroyed, and rendered useless for wearing; provisions of things eatable, as all sorts of corn and grain, which may be so corrupted by smut and vermin, as not to be fit for use; and money and jewels, which may be stolen by thieves: so that no sort of worldly riches and treasure is safe, and to be depended on; and therefore it is a great folly and vanity to lay it up, and trust in it.

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 Targum Sheni. in Esth. vi. 10.

Matthew 6:19 In-Context

17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face;

18 that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

19 "Don't lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal;

20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don't break through and steal;

21 for where your treasure is, your heart will be there also.