Matthew 6:19-24
Today I am discussing verses 22 and23
The Message talks about opening our eyes wide in wonder and belief like a child. When our window is open there is light in our body. But when we when don’t trust others and are consumed with greed because our Treasures are on our earth and we are guarding them, then our eyes do not allow light into our bodies and we are in darkness.
Barclay talks about childlike simplicity and our eyes being a window. The spiritual state of our eyes dictates how clear the window is to let light in. He describes prejudice, jealousy and conceit as being things that cloud the window and block the light. In prejudice he cites the example of those set in their ways blocking God’s work because it requires a change in the way things are done. There is a danger in a church community that people became so prejudiced in favour of the traditional way their community has always done things that they block their windows and God’s light cannot get in. As for conceit, be wary of thinking you are more wise or spiritual than others. Your blind belief in your own excellence will dirty your windows and block God’s light. Be humble and accept that others hear messages from God also. No one person has a premium on hearing God’s word or knowing God’s will.
In the original Greek the words used to describe the eye translate as generous. This was what Jesus was commending. The Eye that was good not only was careful to avoid prejudice, jealousy and conceit but was also generous. From Jesus’ perspective being a generous person gave your eye the clarity to allow the light through. This generosity extended not only to being generous with physical things but also in our judgements of others. Jesus wanted us to refrain from gossip which judges and destroys people’s reputations. He also wanted us to be generous in giving of our time and assistance. We are to ungrudgingly help others. By contrast the ungenerous spirit was unwilling to help another out and was negative in its assessment of others. The ungenerous spirit was envious and held grudges which led to bitterness and resentment. This person then lost his happiness and peace. This person also found relationships difficult. The envious, bitter, resentful person who begrudges others even a cup of water does not do well relating to others so finds it hard to make and keep friends.  This person also finds relationship with God difficult. The Eye that is clouded by these things does not allow light into the body so the body is in darkness.
So the message here is to ensure we are generous in the way we relate to others. Be careful to not allow prejudice to govern your actions but seek to be generous in your assessment of others. Be generous in time, materials and attitude towards others. Be open to all the wonder and belief of our magnificent God and our Saviour Jesus. Be careful not to allow bitterness and resentment to cloud your actions. Handover envy to God and seek to avoid a lack of generosity towards others. Be careful not to gossip for the gossip seeks to destroy. It is one thing to talk about something that has happened, but if you talk about it in a prejudiced way, making a person look bad and seeking damage to their reputation then you are blocking the light of Jesus.

Matthew 6:19-24
This section is titled Treasures in Heaven. There are three distinct statements in this section. The first is in verses 19-21 where the disciple is instructed not to store up for himself treasures on earth which can be destroyed and stolen. Jesus warns the disciples that where their treasure is, there their hearts are. It is not wrong to own nice things or have money saved away but it is wrong to place all your desire and longing into such impermanent things. After every cyclone, flood, bushfire or other natural disaster, there will be an inevitable interview with a person who has just lost everything. They always say the same thing. I have lost everything but those things are not important, what is important is that I am alive and I can start again. Those who have lost everything can understand possessions are not the most important things in life. There is another danger of caring more for the things of this earth than of heaven. If we love too much the things we possess on earth, the power we have, even the family and friends we have, then we do not seek heaven. When the time comes to die we leave this life in great torment and fear. As a nurse, I have witnessed the horror of such people dying. Their fear is both terrifying and devastating to behold. The person is terrified and there is often little that can be done to help them because they have closed their mind to heaven and refuse, even at the end of life, to consider it.
So in this section, Jesus is warning His disciples. Do not place such importance on earthly possessions that you worship them instead of seeking God and think they are more important than serving God. Do not love your life so much that you worship it, instead of seeking God. A truly horrible death awaits the person whose treasure is on earth and for whom the thought of death is truly terrifying.

Matthew 6:16-18
This section follows on the theme of the previous verses in this chapter. In verse 1 we are admonished not to give with a view to being seen because we want the applause. In verse 5 we are admonished not to pray in public to gain the approval of others. Here in verse 16 Jesus again admonishes us to fast in private. When He directs us to fast, we are to not show it. This is because the fasting that counts, the fasting of the disciple, has as its aim glorifying God not self. If we are to glorify God in this private act of fasting then this is to be done in private.
I am not going to get into a discussion on fasting. There are some who believe it is vital to fast frequently, and there are others who believe you should never fast. I believe that God calls us to fast and when He does we should obey. There are times in my life when I have been called to fast and times when I have not. When we fast it is for the purpose of focusing our attention on God. We are called to fast and spent that time with God. With this in mind, I have a beautiful sister in Christ who has internet fasts. She realises that the time she spends on the internet distracts her from God so when directed she fasts from the internet and devotes more time to being with her Heavenly Father.
I believe fasting takes many forms and covers more than refraining from eating. There are many things we can fast from in order to allow us to time and the focus to spend with God. Remember that whatever form your fast may take, should you feel it is appropriate to go on a fast, make sure you do not seek the approval of others. Fasting is an act of worship between you and God, so give Him the glory.