further comments AT THE CROSSROADS

DIRECTIONS #9: CROSSROADS

Before discussing Matthew 6:21 & 22, the verses we skipped over in the CROSSROADS message, I want to point you to a CNN story regarding wealth and need as we discussed this past sunday.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/07/02/hunger.house/index.html

Now on with the message of Matthew 6. The word translated good (NIV)/healthy (NRSV) and the word tranlated evil(NIV)/unhealthy(NRSV) can be translated GENEROUS and GREEDY respectively. These seem to make more sense in the context.

THE EYE IS THE LAMP OF THE BODY
As for the whole thing about the eyes being the lamp of the body, it was believed by some in ancient times that light actually shone out of the body through the eyes. Others suggest that the eyes were like a window and good or evil came inside through them. (A good commentary will chase down all the arguements.) Regardless of which explanation of the "eye/body" statemetns (and there are more than 2) the overall metaphor remains. When it comes to STUFF (Mammon in greek, Money in NIV) we often follow our eyes OR our eyes see some thing and it triggers something inside us to "go and get it." Jesus is calling a spade a spade and saying that the way we see stuff is a function of what goes on inside with regard to the stuff. FURTHERMORE, if we add back in the translation of GENEROSITY/GREEDY for GOOD/EVIL. Then we realize that GENEROSITY is a sign of true followers of Christ who have surrendered to his kingdom.

GENEROSITY AND SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
It seems to me, if you put last weeks texts and this weeks texts together (which Matthew did) then we can say GENEROSITY is a spiritual discipline. I believe it to be a discipline that is helpful to rich and poor alike to "fill us with light."