The Conflict of Possessions in Life

Treasure

What are your most prized possessions in life? How have you taken care of them? Why are these possessions so valuable to you?

Material vs. Spiritual Possessions

First we need to look at the difference of Material Treasure verses Spiritual Treasure. What are the difference?

Material possessions will not last for eternity. Second, material possessions will not bring you wholeness. Third, material possessions are physical and will cost you time, money, and space. Fourth, material possessions can make others jealous.

Spiritual possessions are eternal. Second, spiritual possessions will provide wholeness. Third, spiritual possessions are not physical and therefore do not cost you time, money, or space. Fourth, spiritual blessings or internal and therefore cannot be seen but can be experienced. An example would be an act of kindness towards a stranger.

Earthly vs. Heavenly

Earthly treasure is just that, you cannot take it with you but you can leave it behind for others to fight over. It may cause you to have more desires. It fades away over time. It can be destroyed or taken from you.

Heavenly treasure is not of this world. Heavenly treasure is something that can be given if only it is properly received. Heavenly treasure helps with perspective. Heavenly treasure does not fade away nor can it be stolen.

Steal vs. Give “Heart”

To steal is to take that which is not yours for personal gain. To steal is to take advantage of an opportunity for personal gain. Out of desire you steal to gain a possession only to lose yourself.

To give to others is to share. To share is to gain nothing in return. Out of seeing a need that is not met you share your possessions and therefore increase your wholeness.

Desire vs. Content

Desire is a strong emotional feeling of want. Desire can drive your attitude to become greedy.

Content is a state of peace. Contentment is to have an attitude of satisfaction in what you have is enough.

Light vs. Darkness

At the heart of the contrast between light and darkness is the symbolic use the text makes between light and the personal presence of God, and darkness as all that opposes God. If there is no light the pupil will dilate in order to allow vision. If there is light the pupil will constrict and vision is easier with light. If you eye does not work then you will always be in darkness making navigation difficult. The eye sees and can causes desire. The use of this symbolic metaphor is to drive home the point that one is healthy if they are walking in the light of God. Those who are not healthy are living in darkness. ; ;

Healthy vs Unhealthy

To be in good health is to not have disease. The phase “if your eye is healthy your whole body will be full of light” connects light to health and darkness to sickness. One is sick if they are in darkness.

Two vs One

Two is larger than one. Two things will cause division of resources and time. You cannot serve two people the same. The play on words in this contrast are hate verses love, or devoted verses despise. The idea is that you cannot serve God completely if you desire the things of this earth.

From the beginning of this passage the contrast between materiel verses spiritual treasure, light verses darkness in connection to health, and God verses money as a master drives home the point that what you seek to possess in life matters to how you will live your life. Earthly possessions may bring you earthly comfort but spiritual possessions will being you peace. To walk in the light is to be able to see the obstacles. Money cannot complete you, but God did pay for you on the cross. dividends