Matthew 6:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This is why He initially proclaims: Blessed are the merciful (Matt. 5:7); next, He encourages reconciliation with an adversary (Matt. 5:25); then He teaches to relinquish one’s cloak to a litigant (Matt. 5:40); and here He raises the bar even higher. He advises that if you find yourself in the midst of conflict, it is preferable to forfeit your possessions than to engage in animosity over them. Yet here, He instructs His followers to regard material possessions with indifference, without addressing the contending parties directly. His command is directed more towards the giver of charity than the recipient, fostering a mindset of disdain towards wealth, prompting us to share with the needy, even when no grievances arise. However, He has yet to unveil the full truth. Though He demonstrated remarkable acts emphasizing the virtue of generosity in the wilderness, He refrains from full revelation, as the time was not yet right for such enlightenment. At this stage, He aims to clarify the common considerations of mankind, presenting His counsel more as a guide than a lawgiver. He warns, Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break in and steal. This illustrates both the perils associated with earthly riches and the worthiness of heavenly treasures, underscoring their true nature. He continues with another reflection. First, He motivates His audience toward virtue by referencing their greatest fear. What troubles you, He asks? Are you concerned that giving alms will deplete your resources? On the contrary, He encourages generosity, asserting that far from exhausting your wealth, it will flourish. While He does not elaborate at this point, He will later affirm this promise. Having indicated that their treasure will know no end, He simultaneously fosters a spirit of charity. He does not claim that almsgiving will preserve their wealth, but rather warns that failing to give will lead to its demise. Be astonished at His profound wisdom! He does not suggest they will merely leave their riches to others, a notion that might bring some comfort; instead, to their dismay, He reveals that they cannot escape this fate either, for it is not just people who threaten their treasures—moths and rust perpetually endanger them. While it may appear straightforward to safeguard against such losses, in reality, it proves challenging to counteract or avert them. Regardless of one’s efforts, the decay is inevitable. Is gold vulnerable to moths? If not destroyed by moths, theft looms large. But do thieves target everyone? Perhaps not all, yet far too many fall prey.

If such a force is not swiftly cast out from one part of the soul, it inevitably spreads, leaving a damaging trace wherever it moves. Yet, if the heart remains steadfast, this force may still generate malice through external influences, breaking past the defenses of the soul’s treasury or emptying it of its virtues, as anger, sadness, or any other similar passion taints the mind. Since, as the Lord assures us, the heavenly treasures are untouched by moth, rust, or malicious theft, we should direct our efforts towards accumulating those treasures that are forever secure from loss and decay, yielding a bountiful harvest like sown seeds. The reward must reflect the nature of the one safeguarding the treasure. We can only offer so much in line with our own nature, which is modest; thus, it is just that the One who possesses abundance should compensate even our small contributions with His infinite riches. Therefore, let no one be disheartened in offering to the Divine storehouse according to their abilities, but rather let them maintain hope in the promise of the One who vowed to grant vast rewards in exchange for the little we offer, exchanging the heavenly for the earthly and the eternal for the temporal. Such rewards transcend human understanding and words. The Holy Scripture testifies to this, stating, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9).

Yet even if we could somehow protect our fragile treasures from the onslaught of moths, rust, and thieves, would not death—this common robber, against whom no human strength or wisdom can shield us, and who approaches unexpectedly—strip away all our worldly belongings? And will we not be carried away from our grand estates as well as our humble abodes to a somber grave? Will not the very bodies that we nourish and adorn with such diligence succumb to decomposition until they return to dust? The wealthy man described in the Gospel certainly believed he had ample cause to say to his soul: ’O soul, you have many goods stored up for many years; take it easy, eat, drink, and be merry.’ Yet, what does God say to him? ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ Thus, you gather riches for yourself, but are not rich toward God (Luke 12:19-21). This, however, is not the treasure of heaven that our Savior urges us to desire, seek, and cherish as our sole jewel—the treasure of eternal life, acquired at the cost of His Divine blood. This true treasure cannot be destroyed by decay, nor taken by thieves, nor can it be diminished by death, hell, or anything else.

Why then, dear Christians, does the yearning for worldly treasures infiltrate our hearts when their transience and fragility are so evident? Why do we show such apathy toward seeking the treasure of heaven, which is, by its very nature, incorruptible, unstealable, unalienable, and eternal? It is likely because we have yet to cultivate a living and steadfast faith in the promises of our Lord Jesus Christ. He wishes to offer us not the visible, yet fleeting treasures of this world, but we are often misled by that which is tangible and temporary. We are so misled that we forget the dignity and worth of our immortal souls, which, due to the very nature of their being, cannot find true joy, peace, or bliss in anything other than God Himself. We forget to the degree that, instead of longing for and searching after the heavenly riches, we attempt to satisfy the thirst of our souls—created and redeemed by Christ’s blood for eternal life—with the scarce and murky waters of earthly wealth. This is how the desire for greed grips our hearts, blinds our understanding, and enslaves our very souls. The love of the Savior, who descended to earth to restore the heavenly treasure lost through sin—and which we can reclaim through genuine faith in Him, along with a virtuous and holy existence—seeks to protect the faithful from this passion by revealing the vanity and transitory nature of earthly possessions, thereby exposing the perilous and deadly consequences they hold for our souls. Initially, the desire for greed separates our hearts from God our Father in heaven while binding them to the earthly realm.

Many who amass wealth on earth find even their temporal gains lack fulfillment, whereas those who treasure in heaven consistently enjoy the everlasting rewards that come from their generosity. The disparity between earthly and heavenly treasures is as vast as the distance between heaven and earth. Therefore, if one desires to accumulate treasure, it is wise to do so only in heaven. What constitutes earthly treasures? They include food, clothing, silver, gold, and precious stones. However, food perishes, clothing is consumed by moths and decay, and silver, gold, and jewels are susceptible to theft. This captures the essence of earthly treasures. In contrast, heavenly treasures are characterized by eternal glory, boundless joy, and an everlasting kingdom. This defines the essence of heavenly treasures. When you invest your treasure in heaven, you detach your mind from transient concerns and focus your desires and efforts on the eternal and imperishable; you shift your attention from worldly matters to heavenly pursuits, becoming a person of the heavenly realm. You coexist on earth with humanity while your spirit resides with God in heaven, preparing yourself for an everlasting kingdom. The God-Man did not elaborate on how to secure treasures in heaven in this instance, as He had taught this principle repeatedly. Yet, one clear method is known to all: by providing the needy with food, clothing, and financial support, which Jesus Himself receives, as He states, "For unto one of these least of these My brethren you have done unto Me" (Matthew 25:40). This treasure will remain with Him, safeguarded until the day of judgment, when He will grant us a reward in His eternal kingdom, saying, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matthew 25:34).

John Chrysostom marvels at the profound wisdom of Christ, who did not merely state that you would leave your possessions to others after your passing—a thought many find comforting—but instead reveals the unsettling truth that such legacies are often unattainable. Even if individuals guard their riches, they are still susceptible to decay and theft. Does moths consume gold? If moths leave it unharmed, thieves will take it. While not everyone is robbed, many certainly are. Therefore, do not fix your heart on temporal riches, even when they appear abundant. Recognize that they are not truly yours but belong to God; be a faithful steward in the Lord's house. Listen to the words of the heavenly host.