Meaning, commentary and cross references
Matthew 6:19
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
NIV · New International Version
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
WEB · World English Bible
“Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal;
What does Matthew 6:19 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on 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…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Matthew 6:19–24
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth. Christ's disciples had left all to follow him, let them still keep in the same good mind. A treasure is an abundance of something that is in itself, at least in our opinion, precious and valuable, and likely to stand us in stead hereafter. Now we must not lay up our treasures on earth, that is, (1.)
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Matthew 6:19–21
19. Lay not up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where rust and the moth consume, where theives break through and steal. 20. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither rust nor moth consumes, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. 21. For where your treasure shall be, there will also your heart be. 33.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Matthew 6:16–22 (WEB)
16“Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18so 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; 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; 21for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light.
Cross references
- Hebrews 13:5
Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.”
- 1 John 2:15–16
Don’t love the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him.
- Luke 12:21
So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
- Proverbs 23:4–5
Don’t weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint.
- James 5:1–3
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming on you.
- Proverbs 11:4
Riches don’t profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
- Proverbs 16:16
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
- 1 Timothy 6:8–10
But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.