Mat 6:19-20 | JFB | STEP | 19. Lay not up for ourselves treasures upon earth —hoard not. where moth —a "clothes-moth." Eastern treasures, consisting partly in costly dresses stored up ( ), were liable to be consumed by moths ( ). In there is an evident reference to our Lord's words here. and rust —any "eating into" or "consuming"; here, probably, "wear and tear." doth corrupt —cause to disappear. By this reference to moth and rust our Lord would teach how perishable are such earthly treasures. and where thieves break through and steal

Matthew 6:19-20

19. Lay not up for ourselves treasures upon earth—hoard not.

where moth—a "clothes-moth." Eastern treasures, consisting partly in costly dresses stored up (Job 27:16), were liable to be consumed by moths (Job 13:28; Isa 50:9; 51:8). In Jas 5:2 there is an evident reference to our Lord's words here.

and rust—any "eating into" or "consuming"; here, probably, "wear and tear."

doth corrupt—cause to disappear. By this reference to moth and rust our Lord would teach how perishable are such earthly treasures.

and where thieves break through and steal—Treasures these, how precarious!

20. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven—The language in Luke (Lu 12:33) is very bold—"Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not," &c.

where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal—Treasures these, imperishable and unassailable! (Compare Col 3:2).