The Teaching of Wisdom Teacher About God and Mammon (Matt. 6:19-34)

Being a wisdom teacher Jesus teaches his followers how to deal with mammon or wealth ( Matt 6:19-34). The background of wisdom sayings in Matthew 6:19-34 can be found in Jewish Wisdom Literature, especially the Hebrew Bible and Apocrypha. Several passages are discussed in order to show their similar voices with the Matthean pericope. The danger of idolatry towards wealth is certainly pointed out by Matthew 6:19-34. It contains two parts, the first part (Matt 6:19-24) speaks of a triad on true treasure, while the second part (Matt 6:25-34) encourages people to ignore or to face anxiety. The first part (Matt 6:19-24) comprises three units. It begins with an exhortation to gather treasure not on earth but in heaven (Matt 6:19-21). This is followed by the sayings about the eye (Matt 6:22-23) and the sayings about two masters (Matt 6:24). Afterwards, the second part comes (Matt 6:25-34) as an extended section that offers encouragement. The warning against the danger of idolatry of mammon in Matthew 6:19-34 will highlight the danger of idolatry of materialism in term of corruption in Indonesia.