The eye is the lamp of the body

In part 2 of the Maxed Out sermon series, the pastor used the passage in Matthews 6:19-34 (which is part of the Sermon on the Mount by Jesus) to teach us how to rebel against the culture of excess, especially as it is related to money.

I have learned that when Jesus taught the people of His days He used examples and metaphors that were clearly understood by His listeners. For example, in verses 19-21 Jesus used the word treasures to compare treasures on earth with treasures in heaven. "The Greek word that Jesus used for treasure is THESAUROS. The word was used in ancient times to refer to “treasure chamber, a treasure box, a storeroom, or treasure.” Temples often had treasure chambers where gifts and taxes were stored. Jesus used the word to refer to anything that you highly value and, therefore, keep, safeguard, store up, or protect. The Greek word translated as “store-up” in the English actually means “to treasure.” So Jesus did not tell His listeners to “store up” their treasures, He commanded them to stop “treasuring up their treasures.”. Earthly treasures were not safe in Jesus’ day, and they are not safe today. In Jesus’ day moths would eat clothing. Humidity could result in a chemical reaction called rust that would damage coins and other metal objects. What the moths and rust did not destroy, thieves could “break in” and finish the job. The Greek word for “break in” literally means “to dig through.” Thieves in ancient days would actually dig through mud walls of buildings in order to plunder valuables. Today, we have mothballs and synthetic clothing to prevent damage by moths. Our coins contain alloy compounds to prevent rust and corrosive destruction. We may not be concerned about moths and rust, but we are still concerned about modern thieves. So we have insurance to protect our treasures against theft and damage from various elements. If Jesus were here on earth today, His illustrations would be different. Our treasures are still not safe. The watch collector understood this truth. A woman by the name of Hetty Green also understood.

Hetty Green was a miser. She died in 1915, leaving an estate valued at over one million dollars, but always ate cold oatmeal because she believed it cost too much to heat it. Her son had to suffer through a leg amputation unnecessarily because Hetty wasted too much time looking for a free medical clinic. Hetty Green was wealthy, but she chose to live like a pauper. Eccentric? Yes. Crazy? Perhaps! She was so foolish that she hastened her own death when she suffered a stroke by becoming too excited over a discussion about the cost of drinking skimmed milk. (Green, Michael P. illustrations for Biblical Preaching. Baker Book House. 1989. p. 393) 

Hetty had a treasure in this life. It is called money. Hetty’s heart was devoted to her treasure. Jesus was correct. Our heart will be devoted to what we treasure." (from Treasuring Your Treasures)

Treasures in heaven are "things which are more valuable than food, clothing and shelter. There are commodities far more precious than automobiles, houses and electronic devices of communication. Treasures in heaven: Things we should value and want to have, because they come from God, bring us close to God, make us better people and prepare us for a happy eternity after death! " (Warren Berkley).

When our home church was studying this next paragraph we were quite intrigued by it as it seemed quite out of place:

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[The Greek for healthy here implies generous.] your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, [The Greek for unhealthy here implies stingy.] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matthew 6:22-23)

Treasuring Your Treasures helped me understand it better:
"The Lamp Jesus’ next statement was easily understood by His Jewish audience because it was based on a Jewish saying of His day. The first part of Jesus’ statement tells us that the eye is like a lens which allows light to enter the body. If the lens is clear and not colored or dirty, then all of the light can enter. So obviously, if something is wrong with the eye, less light will enter. But if the eye is bad or blind, we cannot see anything. Everything is dark. If we look at the verses that follow this illustration, we discover that Jesus continued talking about material things. So we must ask, “What does seeing, light, and darkness have to do with wealth?” The answer is found in the book of Proverbs and a Jewish saying. Proverbs 28:22 captures the Jewish view about a “bad eye.”:
A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth And does not know that want will come upon him.
(Proverbs 28:22 NASB translation)
The proverb tells us that a man with an evil eye is one who chases after wealth. He is greedy! According to the Jewish saying, a person with a “bad eye” was a stingy or selfish person. These people did not want to help anyone else. They did not give away any of their money. They treasured their treasures and did not want to share. The Jewish saying and the proverb agree. Jesus used His illustration to send us the message that a greedy, selfish, stingy person is one who is really in the dark. This person’s heart is very cold and unloving - how great is the darkness! Is your eye dark?"

So two things I have learned today:
1. I love Jesus' words - he was the ultimate learner centered teacher! He would use examples and metaphors that made sense to his learners. And thanks to the many commentators who helped me understand the first century Jewish context and apply Jesus' teaching today.
2. Clearly being greedy for money or worrying about it constantly are both extremes I should avoid. Seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness is where I should focus (Matthews 6:33). His promise is that He will meet all my needs and more!!