Matthew 6:22-23

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”

Jesus continues on with more teaching about money and possessions. In the original language the idea of a “good” eye meant a “single” eye. Have you ever experienced double-vision? Fortunately, I never have, but I’m sure it is quite uncomfortable and confusing. Can you focus on two different things at once? Not very well, and that is Jesus’ point.

For many of us, we live out our lives with a type of double vision: one eye trying to focus on the things of God while the other eye is busy focusing on earthly things. It’s tiring, confusing and frustrating, isn’t it? As a result, we tend to compartmentalize. I do this for me and that for God. This reminds me of James 1:8 which says, “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.” Does your life ever feel “unstable”? Mine does from time to time…but it doesn’t have to be that way!

J.C. Ryle wrote, “Singleness of purpose is one great secret of spiritual prosperity.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 helps us pursue this goal by commanding, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” In more modern terms, it’s that rubber bracelet we have all seen before: WWJD. It’s annoyingly simple, but remarkably profound, and the key to living out today’s passage.

We need to continually “look” at the world with a “single” eye. What is God’s way in my life? How would God have me treat my spouse, my children, my neighbors, and my co-workers? How would God have me spend my time, money, and talents? Remember: “If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.”