Note 36 at Mt. 6:19: If isolated from the rest of God's Word, there are some scriptures that could be interpreted to say that having money or wealth is wrong (Examples: Ps. 37:16; Prov. 10:2; 11:4,28; 13:7; 15:16-17; 16:8; 23:4-5; 28:8,20,22; 30:8-9; Eccl. 5:10-15; Jer. 9:23; Mt. 6:19-34; 13:22; 19:23-24; Lk. 12:15-21; 1 Tim. 6:4-11, 17-19). However, there are other scriptures that speak of riches as a blessing (Examples: Gen. 13:2,6; 24:35; Dt. 8:18; 28:1-14; 1 Ki. 3:11-13; 10:21-23; 2 Ki. 20:13; 1 Chr. 29:11-12; Job 1:3; Ps. 112:3; Prov. 3:13-16; 8:1,18,21; 21:20; Mt. 6:33; Mk. 10:28-30; 2 Cor. 8:9; 3 Jn. 2).

The harmony between these two apparently opposite positions is that money is neither good nor bad. It is the love of money that is the root of all evil (1 Tim. 6:10), and many have committed that sin who don't have a dime. The love of things (covetousness) is idolatry and that is what Jesus is addressing.

Jesus gave this same teaching another time, recorded in Luke 12:22-32. His teaching in Luke (which is nearly word for word the same as here in Mt. 6) was in response to a man who asked Jesus to arbitrate the dividing of his family's inheritance. Jesus warned the man concerning covetousness, taught a parable about the rich fool, and then spoke of seeking first the kingdom of God. Through this, it is easy to see that Jesus was not speaking against riches but rather, covetousness.

Because it is so easy to lust after money and the things it can provide, the Lord established a system whereby prosperity is a by-product of putting God first. As Matthew 6:33 states, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." We should no more reject the blessing of prosperity than we should covet it, which would be idolatry.