How the Eye Is the Lamp of the Body

Sermon on the Mount E27 - Jesus continues addressing our relationship to money and possessions with a riddle about the eye being the lamp of the body. He is referencing a common cultural metaphor in which “having a bad eye” meant someone was stingy. By saying that the eye is the lamp of the body, Jesus highlights how our relationship to our possessions reflects our true character. In this episode, Tim, Jon, and Michelle explore how generosity creates possibility, while holding tight to our stuff causes us to lose everything.
Show Music:
Original Sermon on the Mount music by Richie Kohen
BibleProject theme song by TENTS
Show Credits:
Jon Collins is the creative producer for today’s show, and Tim Mackie is the lead scholar. Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer; Cooper Peltz, managing producer; Colin Wilson, producer; Stephanie Tam, consultant and editor. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer. Frank Garza and Aaron Olsen edited today's episode. Aaron Olsen also provided our sound design and mix. Nina Simone does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Today’s hosts are Jon Collins and Michelle Jones.

[@marybrewer2203]

My husband lives daily in the understanding of the “enough-ness principle of God. In God, there is always enough, AND we pray to always have enough. Not too little, NOR too much. This is a freeing concept, and a way the Lord has taught us to be content and joyful, even in difficult times.

[@Meditato-EKG2024]

I love how Jon and Tim live out this lesson in the way the interact. They are clearly generous (love) with each other. It’s like we are listening in on a very intimate conversation between friends. I had to pause the podcast when Jon laughed at himself for misinterpreting “lamp” … was right there with you…Tim’s light always shines as he can laugh with explain what he really means. Gentlemen your sky treasure is apparent and warms me with each visit

[@Jax-xn5bd]

Thank you, Tim, Jon, and Bible project team, for all you do to further the Great Commission. Your work has been such an inspiration to me❤

[@johnwashburn3793]

As one who is legally blind (I have a severe case of "premature macula degeneration ") the "healthy eye" always gave me pause. I truly thank you all on the team for a greater understanding of the meaning concerning this riddle

[@JadDragon]

Love the podcast, look forward to it each week. Thanks Bible Project team for all you do. Jesus lives! ♥️ and is God 🙏🏻 Christ ✝️ and King 👑

[@krunalrajdeep8301]

So wonderful to hear this. Jesus’ teachings about the kingdom of heaven was all about the ‘change of heart’, a complete reversal in the moral character, which by glancing over it just seems impossible, like, how can a person attain that standard or wholeness/perfection. But praise be to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that He has not left us alone but given His own Holy Spirit to work within us and creates the new heart, new character, and works to restore His image and likeness which was lost in the garden to make us compatible to be part of His kingdom. Praise be to God alone for His wondrous and abundance Grace!

[@lydiaboison5307]

The Bible project always brings a fresh understanding of God’s word. I couldn’t wait for this particular riddle because I was reading it and thought, what does this mean. Thank you for bringing light to this riddle.❤

[@robertawinters9366]

God's blessings from Bay City Michigan

[@SeanRhoadesChristopher]

The miser: Long stretched out mouth to receive, but short T-Rex arms when giving. 🦖

[@michelleprull4105]

This is good. And, it brings up one thing I think about the luminaries. Even though we are told that the moon and stars only reflect light from the sun, I think luminaries are luminaries and they give off light themselves but the moon gives the portion that it has been given and has received from the sun. Maybe.

[@manalidas8140]

Thanks a ton guys, you helped me under scriptures better. I have a request, please if you can make a video on Gluttony as a sin

[@blew3749]

Just putting something out there. It seems the take away is put our trust in God and go the things he tells us to do like feed the hungry, give clothes to people who need clothes, give water to the thirsty etc and He will provide for us. It's okay to put some money away for retirement etc and be good stewards however not to hold tight with that money. What did you all take away from this?