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Explanation for:
Matthew
6
:
21
For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also.
15
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"In essence, although no such occurrence will transpire (refer to Matthew 6:19), a significant detriment for you will arise from your attachment to worldly possessions. This will lead you into servitude rather than true freedom, causing you to detach from the divine and fixate solely on material concerns such as money, debts, and profits. What could be more pitiable than this situation? A person ensnared in such a manner experiences a bondage that is harsher than that of any physical slave, and, most tragically, willfully forsakes the dignity and liberty that are innate to humanity. Despite my efforts to communicate meaningful insights to you, if your thoughts are fixated on accumulating wealth, you will glean no benefit. Like a dog confined in its den, shackled by financial anxieties, you leap at anyone who approaches, consumed with the desire to safeguard your possessions for others. What could be more sorrowful than this state? Yet, as these ideas were difficult for the audience to grasp, and as the consequences—both harmful and beneficial—of wealth were not readily apparent, requiring a discerning intellect to see clearly, the Savior concluded with a poignant statement: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”"},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"This principle should be relevant not only to wealth but also to all our desires and belongings. The idol of the gluttonous individual is his appetite. Thus, one's heart aligns with where their treasure lies: the treasure for the individual who delights in extravagance is exquisite meals; for the idle person, entertaining pastimes; for the passionate individual, sensual desires. Everyone becomes a slave to what conquers them (1 Pet. 2:19)."},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Almsgiving embodies two aspects; when it is done to gain human praise, it results in wrongdoing. However, when someone offers help to a brother in need out of love, this act also directs their thoughts towards God, who rewards such generosity, as stated in Scripture: ‘where your treasures are, there your hearts will be also.’"},{"author-name":"Macarius the Egyptian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c894b8dd64f2df5bcb2030_Macarius%20the%20Egyptian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"He instructed us to abandon gold, silver, family, to sell our belongings, give to the needy, contribute to the treasury, and aspire towards heavenly treasures: for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21). The Lord understood that Satan exerts influence over our thoughts through these earthly attachments, leading us to prioritize material concerns. Thus, God, who is attentive to your spirit, has commanded you to relinquish all worldly possessions so that you may seek spiritual wealth, even if you are reluctant, and direct your heart towards Him. For if you choose to turn back to worldly matters, it may seem as if you own nothing tangible; and then, whether you desire to or not, you will be drawn to heaven, where you have stored and secured all that truly matters: ‘Where thy treasure is, there shall thy heart be also.’"},{"author-name":"Maximus the Confessor","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8951a1dea23713695271e_Maximus%20the%20Confessor.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":7,"exegesis-text":"When you realize that your thoughts are consistently engaged with earthly possessions and that you find comfort in contemplating them, understand that your affection for them surpasses your love for God. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also, saith the Lord."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The term \\"heart\\" is referred to as the \\"mind\\" in this context. It is stated that even if none of these events occur, generally speaking, your mind will follow where your treasure resides. However, it is significantly detrimental to the soul when the mind becomes ensnared in the numerous worries of safeguarding that treasure; it is subjected to such oppression and is reluctant to pursue other thoughts."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"He states that if you have anchored your thoughts in the pursuit of material goods, you have snuffed out your light and clouded your spirit. Just as a healthy eye brings brightness to the body, while a weak eye plunges it into shadows, so too does an overburdened mind become obscured by worry. When the mind is shrouded in darkness, the spirit similarly suffers, and inevitably, the body is affected as well."},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"The Lawgiver permitted the act of giving alms, stating, “Both of you shall give alms from those who exist. Sell your possessions, and you will give alms” (Luke 11:41; Luke 12:33). The Teacher further illustrated what makes almsgiving a means of salvation, instructing, “When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matthew 6:3). Here, the Counsellor offers reasons to encourage almsgiving, drawing from the wisdom of reality and circumstance. He advises not to store treasures on earth but in heaven, signifying two realms for treasure: earth and heaven. Earthly treasures, being fleeting and temporary, stand in stark contrast to the eternal and imperishable treasures of heaven. Those who amass treasures on earth often find no lasting benefit, while those who treasure in heaven continually enjoy the everlasting fruits of their blessings. Just as the distance between heaven and earth is vast, so too is the difference between heavenly and earthly treasures. If you desire to treasure wisely, place your treasures solely in heaven. What constitutes earthly treasures? They include food, clothing, silver, gold, and precious stones. Yet, food decays, garments degrade, and material possessions are vulnerable to theft. This encapsulates the nature of earthly treasures! In contrast, heavenly treasures consist of everlasting glory, unending joy, and an eternal kingdom. This reveals the essence of heavenly riches! By storing your treasures in heaven, you redirect your focus away from transitory pursuits, dedicating your desires and worries to what is imperishable and eternal. You prioritize heavenly matters over worldly concerns, becoming a citizen of heaven even while living among men. You ready yourself for your eternal kingdom. The God-Man did not elaborate on how to store treasures in heaven here, as He had already conveyed this truth multiple times. However, the clear method is known to all: by providing food, clothing, and financial support to the poor, which Jesus Himself receives. For as He taught, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me” (Matthew 25:40). This treasure will remain secure in His care until the day of judgment, when He will reward us with the promise of the eternal kingdom: “Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Matthew 25:34)."},{"author-name":"Tichon of Zadonsk","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989ff6b5b4c943e70095_Tichon%20of%20Zadonsk.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":18,"exegesis-text":"A traveler often sends or transports valuable items, like money and goods, back to his homeland. For a true believer, the treasures in this world that he can gather and take with him to the next life are his virtues: love, compassion, patience, kindness, purity, and more. As a spiritual merchant navigating this earthly life, he strives to accumulate all these virtues, intending to present them in his eternal home and before his heavenly Father. In alignment with this, our Christ encourages us, saying, \\"Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also\\" (Matthew 6:20-21)."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The heart naturally focuses on what it cherishes, what it loves, and what it holds dear. Wherever a person invests their greatest good, there also their heart rests. Thus, to genuinely guide the longings of our heart, the focus of those longings must be authentic, sacred, and unblemished. The virtues represent the treasures of heaven; it is to these that the heart of a believer should be devoted."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Where your treasure lies, there too will be your heart, with your thoughts and desires consistently directed toward it. Your heart encompasses your entire being and future. As St. Philaret of Moscow noted, if your treasure is set on earthly matters, do not expect your heart to be aligned with Heaven's ultimate purpose. St. John Chrysostom warns that if you become overly attached to worldly possessions, neglecting the Heavenly, fixated solely on financial concerns and material gains, you will find yourself in a pitiful state. No matter how often I may speak to you, if your mind is enslaved by wealth, you will not be receptive to what is truly important or beneficial for your soul. Your heart will remain unmoved by the cries of the needy; it resembles the coldness of the metal it clings to. With a somber and hardened demeanor, you avoid others, harbor suspicion, and embrace fear. Yet, it’s not just money that can capture a person's heart; any passion can become one’s idol and source of treasure, making separation from it profoundly painful. Consider a person whose heart is consumed by the fleeting pleasures of sin. Such a person is tainted by the toxins of debauchery, and their mind is filled with thoughts of immorality. Do they have any time to contemplate God, Heaven, or the salvation of their soul? Now consider another individual, whose spirit is overshadowed by aspirations for honor or recognition. This ambitious soul may lower themselves to servility before those in power, employing manipulation and deceit, sacrificing their conscience and moral law, all for the sake of advancement. What a hard-hearted individual this is! Will such a person even spare a thought for their eternal destiny or the kingdom of Heaven? Their treasure rests firmly on Earth, in earthly accolades and status. Thus, where their treasure is, their heart will be as well.\\n\\nTake another scenario: a woman wholly devoted to the passion for fashion and adornment. A beggar might care less for a daily meal than she does for outshining others in appearance. When she succeeds in this pursuit, vanity emerges as another passion in her heart. When does she pause to think of her children? What concern does she show for her husband’s inability to provide her with new attire? The family endures much sorrow and hardship due to her empty obsession with clothing. Is there any space within such a woman's heart for God or for the salvation of her soul? It is impossible to enumerate all the earthly treasures and sinful inclinations that can captivate our hearts; for every sin, there exists an idol to which a person may cling. However, for a true disciple of Christ, there should be only one treasure: God and His sacred commandments. If you love God with all your heart, then your thoughts and desires must solely pursue Him. Live your earthly life for God, for true peace and joy can be found only in Him. He resides in a pure conscience, and by His grace, He enters our hearts when there is a clean space prepared for Him and not a profane one."},{"author-name":"Philaret (Amphiteatrov)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c896e9b7a2ebaf99e4620a_Philaret%20(Amphiteatrov).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The truth articulated by Jesus Christ stands validated by timeless experience. A devoted follower of Christ places unwavering faith in the words of the Savior, who assures us of heavenly treasures. With complete assurance, this believer anticipates receiving such gifts through His grace and compassion. In longing for these promises, he exclusively turns to God, the Father in heaven, with profound love. In accordance with this love, he strives wholeheartedly to delight Him through obedient adherence to His redemptive commandments, taking great care not to offend his gracious Lord through any sin, lest he forfeit the promised blessings of heaven. He is vigilant that no sinful desire infiltrate his heart, separating him from his cherished Lord Jesus, in whom resides all that he treasures. Therefore, his heart remains where his true treasure lies—not in the transient wandering of this earth but in the everlasting realm of the heavenly Fatherland. The apostle Paul reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven, and from there we eagerly await our Savior (Phil. 3:20). Reflect on the individual consumed by greed—where does his troubled heart reside when he fixates day and night on accumulating riches? In the midst of numerous worries over worldly and decaying possessions, he often finds no moment to dedicate to prayer, repentance, or seeking divine favors from the Lord. Instead of immersing himself in the law of the Lord day and night (Psalm 1:2), he lacks the time, desire, or inclination to engage with God’s word, which reveals the treasures of eternal life. Where then is his troubled heart? Certainly not in heaven or with God, but precisely where he has stored his treasures. Engulfed by earthly pursuits and seduced by the illusion of material wealth, the heart of a greedy individual cannot ascend to the heavens or connect with God in genuine faith, hopeful trust, and authentic love. Thus, the truth of the Lord stands: “Where your treasure is, there shall your heart be also.” It is crucial to note, dear brethren, that this teaching from the Savior, as interpreted by a Church father, pertains not only to the sin of greed but also to anything that extinguishes our love for God. If our hearts are not ensnared by greed but instead dominated by vanity, luxury, fleshly desires, or indulgence, then we are still tethered to earthly matters, with our treasure resting upon this ground. Additionally, the passion of greed casts a shadow over the Christian mind, blinding it and depriving it of the illuminating truth needed to walk continually in the path of the Lord's commandments to attain true happiness. For clarity, the Savior illustrates this destructive impact through the visible metaphor of the human body."},{"author-name":"Ignatij (Briantchaninow)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ce37597540c9caa5df5_Ignatij%20(Briantchaninow).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Lord instructed His dearest disciples and followers to practice generosity. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth” (Matthew 6:19). “Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with money bags that do not grow old, with a treasure in heaven that will not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:33-34). To cultivate affection for spiritual and heavenly matters, one must forsake attachments to earthly things; to genuinely love one’s homeland, it is essential to relinquish the painful attachment to the land of exile."},{"author-name":"Kochomski S.W.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The place where a person's treasure resides is where their thoughts, longings, and affections will constantly dwell. Therefore, a believer, whose heart is meant to be focused on heavenly matters, should not be preoccupied with amassing and safeguarding treasures on this earth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The purpose of human life on earth is to achieve eternal joy in the Heavenly Kingdom. Thus, individuals should focus solely on what fosters this aspiration: selfless love for others, including adversaries, engaging in good works, self-reflection, repentance, fasting, and prayer. These virtues constitute the true treasures that are vital for entering the Kingdom of Heaven, treasures that cannot be stolen or corroded by decay, unlike earthly possessions that are fleeting and can be lost. Aware of humanity's tendency toward greed and the pursuit of wealth and luxury—an inclination that can easily morph into a consuming passion, blinding one's conscience and dulling one's compassion—Christ cautioned against becoming ensnared by transient worldly treasures. Instead, He instructed His followers to seek after heavenly riches, which hold eternal significance for entry into the Heavenly Kingdom. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” When a person covets wealth and material possessions, becoming deeply attached to them, they often neglect the pursuit of eternal treasures that can unlock the gates of Heaven. Instead, their focus remains fixed on earthly idols, and their hearts become ensnared by worldly matters. As a result, they are often oblivious to spiritual truths; their hearts grow hard, their sight is clouded, and their understanding is dimmed. To illustrate this idea, Christ remarked, “If thine eye be pure, thy whole body shall be light; but if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be dark” (Matthew 6:22-23)."}]}
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