Single lesson
Treasure, the Eye and Serving God
Matthew 6:19–24
Jesus teaches that what we value shapes our hearts, our outlook and our loyalty. In these verses, he contrasts treasure on earth with treasure in heaven, a sound eye with darkness, and serving God with serving Mammon.
Before you teach
This passage is part of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew. Here he gives linked pictures about treasure, the eye and two masters. Each picture helps explain priorities and warns that a person cannot give highest loyalty to both God and Mammon.
Students will be able to explain from Matthew 6:19-24 how Jesus connects treasure, the eye and serving one master with wholehearted loyalty to God.
Welcome: What do we value most?
5 minInvite the group to name things people often treat as important, such as toys, money, collections or being noticed. Explain that Jesus speaks about treasure, hearts and loyalty. Tell students they will listen for contrasts in the passage: earth and heaven, light and darkness, and two masters. Read Matthew 6:19-24 aloud slowly.
Matthew 6:19, Matthew 6:20, Matthew 6:21, Matthew 6:22, Matthew 6:23, Matthew 6:24
Read and explain: Treasure on earth and treasure in heaven
7 minShow that Jesus says earthly treasure can be damaged or stolen, but treasure in heaven is safe. Explain that 'treasure' means what a person stores up and treats as valuable. Verse 21 links treasure and heart, so what we prize affects the direction of our inner life and attention.
Matthew 6:19, Matthew 6:20, Matthew 6:21
Discuss: The eye, light and darkness
6 minExplain Jesus’ picture of the eye as the lamp of the body. A sound eye is linked with a body full of light, while an evil eye is linked with darkness. Help students see that Jesus is talking about inner direction and perception, not just physical eyesight. Ask how these pictures connect with choosing what to value.
Matthew 6:22, Matthew 6:23
Make and respond: One master reminder card
8 minStudents choose one phrase from the passage, such as 'where your treasure is' or 'You can’t serve both God and Mammon'. They write it on a card and add a simple drawing with two columns: things that fade on earth, and ways to put God first. Remind them that Jesus says no one can serve two masters.
Matthew 6:21, Matthew 6:24
Closing: Choosing wholehearted loyalty
4 minReview the three pictures Jesus uses. Treasure shows what we value, the eye shows our inner direction, and the two masters picture shows divided loyalty does not work. Ask students to say one sentence explaining the main message of the passage. Finish with an optional prayer asking for help to value what Jesus teaches.
Matthew 6:21, Matthew 6:22, Matthew 6:23, Matthew 6:24
Questions to explore
According to Jesus, what is the difference between treasure on earth and treasure in heaven?
Look for what can happen to earthly treasure and what does not happen to treasure in heaven in Matthew 6:19-20.
Matthew 6:19, Matthew 6:20
What does Jesus say the heart reveals about a person’s treasure?
Use the exact link Jesus gives in Matthew 6:21 between treasure and heart.
Matthew 6:21
Why does Jesus say a person cannot serve both God and Mammon?
Notice the words about loving one and despising the other, and about being devoted to one master in Matthew 6:24.
Matthew 6:24
Make, think or respond
Treasure and Master Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- card or paper
- pencils or pens
- coloured pencils or markers
- Bible text written out or read aloud
Try it together
- Read Matthew 6:21 and Matthew 6:24 again.
- Choose one key phrase from the passage to write neatly on a small card.
- Draw a simple symbol beside it, such as a heart, a lamp or two paths.
- On the back, write one practical way to remember God rather than chasing treasure that fades.
- Take turns sharing how the chosen phrase comes from Jesus’ teaching in this passage.
This activity helps students remember that Jesus connects treasure, the heart and serving one master in Matthew 6:21-24.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, pre-write two short phrases from the passage for them to choose from and let them explain their drawing in simple words.
- For older or stronger readers, ask them to compare all three pictures in the passage and write one sentence showing how they fit together.
An optional closing prayer
Proposed words: Lord God, please help us to value what lasts, to have hearts directed towards you, and to serve you with whole loyalty. Amen.
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Matthew 6
19 “Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal;
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal;
21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light.
23 But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.