Monday's SOAP - Matthew 6:19-24

¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

   ²² “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

   ²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

S(cripture) - store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

O(bservation) - the question needs to be asked, how does one store up treasures in heaven? I could give my summary answer - the commentary that i heard for years, add in my assumptions and biases, but at the moment, I am really interested in seeing what Jesus has to say about HOW?

First - I look at the context - did Jesus say anything immediately before or after that would provide answers. This is Jesus' sermon on the mount so I should look at anything in his talk that talks about heaven and treasure. Jesus doesn't use the word treasure anywhere else in this sermon. He does repeatedly use the word heaven in the context of the kingdom of heaven. In Matthew 5, Jesus talks about God blessing the poor - that the KoH is theirs. He tells his listeners that if they are persecuted for being righteous and just, they will inherit the KoH. He goes on to say that those who are persecuted for following Jesus (and thus living his way of life) will gain a great reward in heaven. That sounds like treasure!

Ah - this last one - might be our first clue - being righteous and just means you stand up for the poor and marginalized - to side with the have-nots. Often the "haves" aren't pleased when others challenge their comfort and security - they might even fight back - persecution physical, economic, political, verbal can be expected. Jesus says when you are righteous (dikaios in Greek has both a moral goodness and a justice component), you get the Kingdom. And when you follow Jesus (this is his own commentary/explanation on what he just said) - follow his teachings and his way of life, you will receive a reward in heaven.

I think - honestly I have enough here to give me my answer. But if not, I would follow this path . . .

2 - I would look at other texts in Matthew (use Biblegateway to search for treasure and heaven.)
3 - I would look at other Gospels to see if one of the other writers elaborates or has another story where Jesus talked about treasures in heaven (or the Kingdom).
4 - I would explore the rest of the New Testament. Did Paul have anything to say on the subject? Or James or John? These are sources very close to Jesus and his culture. (Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 talks about fire revealing the quality of each man's work (heavenly building) - this might be a clue - he talks about building on Christ as the foundation)
5 - Was Jesus quoting or paraphrasing the Hebrew (Old) Testament? I can search Biblegateway.com for treasure and heaven.
6 - Do I have access to primary sources at or around the time of Jesus that talk about heavenly treasure?
7 - Who can I talk to that could add insight? Are there commentaries that will clarify what I have discovered?

A(pplication) - I share what looks like a cumbersome process (but those who like to be detectives might find this an exciting way to study your Bible), to show you the proper way to come at the meaning of a text. One of the things that concerns me most in Bible study is when people go around the room and and say, "I think it means this." I do trust the Holy Spirit to bring clarity to any text, but I also know we do a "great" job of bring our biases and pre-conceptions to any text. We are excellent at justifying our actions (just read about Adam and Eve to see how good we are at it, even when faced with the truth.) Be careful of this!

So today, when Jesus says to store up treasures in heaven, he's saying live this righteous and just life. Stand up for and associate with the poor and marginalized. And so it is vital to study and live out the teachings of Christ. Treasure comes from a life well lived - following Jesus - and the more I follow Jesus - the more I see clearly the treasures that await me there. This is where my heart is (or where it should be).

P(rayer) - Abba, first may we revere your Word and not treat it like "Hints from Heloise." Abba, give us a deep hunger for knowing your TRUTH - removing the baggage from our lives, the scales from our eyes to see clearly. Help us see clearly what is being placed in our eternal bank account and may that fuel us to greater righteous and just actions. May our heart's desire reside in one place and one place alone. We can't serve two masters. Abba, teach us the ways of your Son. In Jesus' name. Amen.

the texts in Matthew 5

 ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
   for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
   for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
   for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
   for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
   for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
   for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

   ¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.