Daily Devotions
Matthew
The Importance of Having the Right Perspective
Text: Matthew 6 : 19 - 34
How does one determine the right perspective of life? How does one ensure that the heart pursues the things that really count – “treasures in heaven”. Jesus added an important word as He taught His disciples.
“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore
your eye is good, your whole body will be full
of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole
body will be full of darkness. If therefore the
light that is in you is darkness, how great is
that darkness.”
Matthew 6:22-23
How does a person (the “body”) evaluate what is right and what is wrong? The key is to be found in “the eye”. If the eye has the right perspective, and is therefore “good” then the individual would be an enlightened person. He may indeed be described as being “full of light”.
If the person is truly enlightened he would be able to see and perceive life as Jesus did. His thoughts would be about the Lord, His kingdom and how his life ought to be lived in obedience to Him. He who had such an enlightened mind and heart may indeed be described as one who had a good eye for things beautiful and eternal.
The contrast must also be thought through carefully. If the “eye is bad” then the perspective of life would also be wrong. If the individual rejects what Jesus taught, for example, then he would not have the enlightenment that would cause his eye and body to be full of life. He would remain in his benighted condition and great would be that darkness indeed!
LIGHT FROM GOD’S WORD
As we ponder the subject of “light” let us recall two famous utterances from the psalmist as he meditated on the subject of the Word of God.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet,
And a light to my path.”
Psalm 119:105
“The entrance of Your word gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.”
Psalm 119:130
Jesus sought to bring light to His disciples through giving to them a vital word of enlightenment. If they were to heed His word then the word that He brought them would remove the darkness from their hearts and new light would shine forth.
AN IMPORTANT RELATED MATTER
The pursuit of wealth is not just a question of pouring energy into one’s work. There is an even more subtle thing to note. Jesus highlighted this in the next word He spoke to His disciples.
“No one can serve two masters; for either
he will hate the one and love the other, or
else he will be loyal to the one and despise
the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Matthew 6:24
This word here was what Jesus Himself had in mind when He rejected the temptation of Satan. Let us recall what Jesus said to Satan then.
“Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly
high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdom
of the world and their glory. And he said to Him,
‘All these things I will give you if You will fall
down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him,
‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “You shall
worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall
serve.” ‘ ”
Matthew 4:8-10
The pursuit of wealth is more complex than is normally understood. Let us list what Jesus warned His disciples to be careful of.
1. Service
Ultimately, our work is our “service”. Whom are we serving? Are we serving God or are we serving “mammon” (wealth)?
2. Master
This may not seem obvious, but it is true! If we are serving, then we have a Master. Who is that Master? Is that Master God, or is that master “mammon”?
3. One or the other
Many think that they can serve two sets of masters. Jesus denies this possibility! Whether immediately or ultimately, we will end up having to choose ONE Master! Whom would we choose as our Master?
4. God or Satan
As we ponder over the temptation of Jesus, we cannot but be hit by this thought – that Satan is ultimately the one who tempts men away from the true worship and service of God!
May there be discernment and enlightenment to have the right perspective of life. May our eye be good and our body full of light! Choose to worship and serve the Lord.