JESUS is not just content to give us instruction. He knows our frailty and how difficult it is for us to carry out instruction. Because of this he goes more deeply into the problem of worldliness. He has already explained that worldly treasure, of whatever kind, is passing and failing. He has told us the value of treasure in heaven. Now he deals with the difficulties we face when we tackle this problem of the world.

We need to see that Jesus is speaking particularly to Christians. This problem is not one which faces an unbeliever. An unbeliever is in the world and lives for the world. The world is where the unbeliever?s treasure is. The Christian is different because we have been brought to experience the heavenly realm by new birth. We have been taught by the Spirit the truth of what Jesus has been saying about earthly treasure and heavenly treasure. The difficulty is that our old nature, our flesh, still is attracted to this world, and we have to live in this world.

Our difficulty is that most of us seek to face in two directions. We want to have treasure in heaven, but we can?t let go a desire for earthly treasure, and so we seek to obtain the best of both worlds. Jesus points out that this is impossible, and he does it in the two illustrations he uses in the verses before us.

Jesus opens up the discussion in verse 21. The crux of the matter is in what we see as treasure for this will dominate our lives and capture our hearts. As Christians we tend to have two sorts of treasure. In fact we seek to face both ways. Our difficulty is that we find it very hard to be absolutely honest with ourselves, and be clear about our motives. With the mind we can argue as to what is the best and right treasure, but equally we can manipulate our thinking to make it fit with out desires. By our will we can know what is best or right, but then again our will is not strong enough usually to oppose our affections, and to get over this difficulty we are so good at justifying our actions.

In the light of this Jesus places before us the important question. This is the question as to what treasure we are seeking. Facing this question Jesus argues so cogently. He says if your eye is single (good NIV) then all be well. The conflict will be solved. However if we seek to face both ways and have treasure in heaven and on earth at the same time, then we have problems. Things will be bad and life will become worthless.

The point Jesus is making is that facing two ways, and seeking to please our desire for the worldly things at the same time as we seek to live for God, all is confusing. Our life is always in turmoil. We find our life is not flooded with light but rather we live in shadows. Decisions and choice become clouded. We always have indecision built into our thinking and living. Neither our flesh nor our new life is satisfied. Because of this our spiritual life suffers. We are not happy in either worlds.

On the other hand a single purpose for one or the other brings resolution and peace. The person who is single-minded to live for the world in some way - whether for riches, or glory, or happiness etc. - will be free from confusion. The goal is clear and they are going for it with a single purpose. The end of this is death, but the worldly person does not know or realise this and so while life is going on they have resolution in their lives.

For the Christian we have to face the fact that we are pulled in one direction by the flesh and in another by the Spirit, and if we allow both forces to pull us, then we have no light, and all is confusion, and we have no real joy or peace. If we have a single eye for the Lord, to live for him and to find our satisfaction in him, then we will find joy, peace and resolution in our lives. There will be no darkness. We need to meditate deeply on this. Jesus tells us that if we seek the Lord and live for him with singleness of heart, then we shall find our lives are flooded with light. If we try to face in both directions then darkness of all kinds will be our experience.

From this follows on the words of Jesus about two masters. Jesus points out the truth, however difficult it is to receive, that we can only give our allegiance to one and not two. To try and be wholehearted for God and at the same time to seek the world and its attractions only causes trouble. We just have to think of a man who has committed bigamy and has one wife in one place and another in a different place. What follows is lies, and difficulties, and constant fear of being found out. Then there is the double cost involved. The same is true with seeking to live for God and the world.

The truth of the matter is that if we seek to serve God and the world together then we find we start telling lies to God in our hearts. We find we are troubled in our conscience. True joy flies out of the window.

If we try to serve God and the world then we are little good to the Lord, and we will find Christian witness and service is a burden because there is always a conflict between God?s call upon us on the one hand, and the desires of the flesh on the other.