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Don't store up your treasure on earth but in heaven...Don't worry about how you look or how long you will live... Seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness." (Matthew 6:19-34 excerpts)
Most of us cart about too much clutter with us as we travel through life. Our baggage may be material possessions that weigh us down and hamper our progress, or it may be mental baggage. Our cares and worries can be just as burdensome. If it's not one, it's the other that will get us down, and some people stagger under the double burden. Jesus demands that we learn to off-load our burdens to enjoy the freedom of travelling light. For those of us who habitually pack too much every time we take a journey, just in case, have you noticed how much of the stuff you carried around and never needed anyway?
...We have to ask ourselves what it is we really set our hearts on, and what continually catches our attention. Which shops do we gravitate to each time we walk down the high street? Which advertisements catch our attention when we open a magazine or a newspaper, or turn on the TV? That's what we consider treasure. Treasure is something we hoard rather than use.
...A literal translation of 'good' eye is 'single' eye; that is, we focus on one thing, and in so doing relegate everything else to its proper place as well as eliminate some items altogether.
...We turn now from accumulating and guarding our possessions, to worries as to whether or not we will have sufficient in the future. We fret about whether we will be able to keep a roof over our head, put food on the table, and replace our clothing as it wears out. In response, Jesus calls us to learn some lessons from nature. Birds live from day to day, demonstrating a carefree industry. We must not misinterpret Jesus by concluding that he is advocating laziness and irresponsibility. He is counselling us against worrying, not against working!
[So focus on the one thing with your "single" eye. Keep that first and foremost in your sights. Jesus even tells us what that "one thing" can be - the Kingdom of God, that is, partnering with Jesus to bring healing and hope to the world. If we keep that in focus, the accumulating and guarding of our possessions won't burden us.]
Dr. Eddie Gibbs, "Way to Go: Thirty Readings on a Journey with Jesus" (edited by Mona)
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