Living a Life of Simplicity: Meditation from Matthew 6:19-24

What if the things we protect most are the very things that keep us restless? Guided by Pastor Robert Young, we move slowly from confession to calm—through steady breathing, gentle muscle release, and worship—so our hearts are ready to hear Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:19–24. The message is simple and searching: do not cling to what moth and rust can reach; set your treasure where time has no teeth. Along the way, we ask honest questions about the possessions, status, and false security we carry, and we practice handing them to Christ with open hands.

We begin by clearing the inner room with Psalm 51, trusting God’s loving kindness to meet us where we actually are. Breath by breath, we learn to receive, hold, and release, a rhythm that mirrors surrender. Then we lift our eyes with Psalms 100 and 8, letting praise reset our scale and widen our view. With our attention gathered, we sit with Jesus’ teaching: where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Through vivid imagination, we feel the weight of what we cling to, picture its natural decay, and choose a better investment—heavenly treasure woven from mercy, generosity, and a quiet obedience that doesn’t need applause.

Finally, we focus on the “single eye,” the clarifying practice of fixing our gaze on Christ. When the eye is clear, light fills the inner life; decisions simplify, priorities realign, and peace grows where hurry used to live. If you’re ready to trade scattered desire for steady presence, this guided meditation offers a gentle path back to what lasts. Subscribe to stay grounded with future meditations, share this episode with a friend who needs calm, and leave a review to help others find their way to a simpler, lighter heart.

Chapters

• 0:04 Welcome & Getting Started Guide
• 0:40 Theme: Life of Simplicity
• 0:55 Preparing the Heart: Confession
• 2:10 Guided Breathing Practice
• 3:02 Progressive Muscle Relaxation
• 4:16 Entering Worship with Psalms
• 5:16 Scripture Focus: Matthew 6:19–24
• 6:14 Letting Go of Earthly Treasures
• 7:44 Imagining Surrender to Christ
• 11:08 Single Focus: Eyes on Christ

Transcript

Pastor Robert Young: 0:04

Welcome to this week's Guided Christian Meditation. I'm your host, Pastor Robert Young, and thank you for allowing me to be your guide on this journey. If you're new to Guided Christian Meditation, please check out episode 164, Getting Started in Guided Christian Meditation. Episode 164 explains the why and even the science of all the stages of meditation that we practice. This week's subject is about living a life of simplicity. Our scripture is from Matthew chapter 6, verses 19 through 24. But first, according to Scriptures, God requires us to be completely involved and free from wrongful acts in mind, body, and spirit. Confession prepares the heart for being in the presence of Almighty God. Let's repeat the prayer that King David prayed in Psalms chapter 51, verses one through four, which says, Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness, according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions, wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me.

Pastor Robert Young: 2:10

Before we start to reflect on Matthew 6, 19 through 24, let's prepare our mind by closing our eyes and taking a deep breath as we invite the presence of God to fill us. Now, take a deep breath in for a count of seven, hold the breath for a count of five, and slowly exhale for a count of seven. Let's repeat. Take a deep breath in for a count of seven, hold the breath for a count of five, and then slowly exhale for a count of seven.

Pastor Robert Young: 3:02

Now, let's prepare our body with muscle relaxation exercises. We will simply tense each muscle group for three seconds and then release the muscle. Remember, don't hold your breath for this portion of the meditation. Let's begin with the calf muscles. Lightly tense the calves for three seconds. Now release. Moving upward to the hamstrings, the quads, and glutes. Lightly tense for three seconds. Now release. Moving to the abdominals, chest and back areas. Lightly tense for three seconds. Now release. Finally, moving to the arms and shoulders. Lightly tense these muscle groups for three seconds. Now release.

Pastor Robert Young: 4:16

Now we can enter into worship of our Heavenly Father by focusing on Psalms chapter 100, verses one through three, where it tells us to shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before Him with joyful songs. Take a moment to lift up your voice in praise and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father, who is worthy of all honor and glory. Repeat Psalms chapter eight, verse nine, which says, Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.

Pastor Robert Young: 5:16

Now that we have prepared our mind, our body, and our spirit, let's begin to examine Matthew chapter six, verses nineteen through twenty-four. It says, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Pastor Robert Young: 6:14

Let's take a moment to hear the first command. Do not store for yourselves treasures on earth. Quietly ask yourself, what earthly treasures are you holding on to most? It might be a physical possession or the pursuit of status on social media or the need for worldly assurance that everything in this world will be alright.

Pastor Robert Young: 6:56

As you breathe, imagine one of those earthly treasures in your hands. Feel its weight. Now, gently imagine Jesus standing before you, and you offer it to him. Not because he demands it, but because he knows it will be destroyed anyway. Imagine the moth and the rust. Imagine the forces of time and change that will take that earthly treasure away eventually.

Pastor Robert Young: 7:44

Let's take three minutes to really reflect on the following questions. What does a heavenly treasure look like?

Pastor Robert Young: 11:08

Repeat the following affirmation now, and for the next seven days:

Pastor Robert Young: 11:08

My eye is singular, my focus is on Christ. Again, my eye is singular, my focus is on Christ.

Pastor Robert Young: 11:30

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