How does Luke 21:6 connect with Matthew 6:19-21 on storing treasures? Setting the Scene in Luke 21:6 “ ‘As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.’ ” (Luke 21:6) Earthly Splendor Is Temporary • The temple represented the pinnacle of Israel’s religious and national pride—massive stones, gold-plated walls, unmatched beauty. • Jesus’ prophecy underscores how even the grandest earthly achievements can crumble overnight. • By foretelling literal destruction, He exposes the fragility of anything built merely on this side of eternity. Jesus’ Call in Matthew 6:19–21 “ ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ ” How the Two Passages Interlock • Luke 21:6 supplies a vivid, historical example of Matthew 6:19’s warning—earthly treasures are genuinely vulnerable. • The impending fall of Jerusalem illustrates rust, moth, and thieves in large-scale form: even sacred stones can be dismantled. • Matthew 6:20–21 then supplies the alternative: invest where nothing can topple—heaven itself. • Together they create a cause-and-effect picture: – Cause: Earthly security is illusory (Luke 21). – Effect: Redirect affection and resources toward what cannot perish (Matthew 6). Practical Steps for Storing Heavenly Treasure • Prioritize eternal relationships: disciple others (Matthew 28:19-20). • Channel resources toward gospel work and the needy (1 Timothy 6:17-19). • Cultivate a heart of worship and obedience; every act done “for the Lord” survives (Colossians 3:23-24). • Keep an open hand with possessions, recognizing we are stewards, not owners (Psalm 24:1). • Fix thoughts on what is above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:1-2). Supporting Scriptures • Proverbs 23:5 — “When you fix your eyes on riches, they are gone…” • Hebrews 13:14 — “For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” • 2 Peter 3:10 — “The elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.” Takeaway for Today The temple’s fall validates Jesus’ teaching: anything earthly—no matter how dazzling—can vanish. Real security lies in banking on heaven, investing heart, time, and treasure where Christ reigns and nothing can decay. |
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