Sunday 9th June
Read Matthew 6:19-21
“‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (NIVUK)
The first half of Matthew 6 is devoted to religious hypocrisy, the temptation to play act at piety with respect to prayer, fasting and giving. The second half is devoted to the temptations of the world, focusing on earthly needs and worries. The two great temptations, self-righteous morality and liberal hedonism are both addressed but at their heart is an obsession with oneself. The hypocrite acts in order ‘to be seen and praised by men’. The selfish hedonist stores up treasures ‘for themselves’. There is nothing inherently wrong with prayer or money or giving or wise saving for the future. However the corruption of those acts by self-centredness is condemned. If your eyes are constantly focused on yourself then dangerous challenges await.
