Matthew 6:19-7:11,  you shall not covet

So far, in presenting the antitheses, Jesus has taught on the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth commandments. Now, turning to the tenth, he presents some extended teaching on personal attitudes to possessions.  

When he speaks of treasure, money, gifts, food and clothing, these are all items that clearly relate to his theme of covetousness. Yet two passages, planks in eyes and pearls before swine, seem out of place for teaching of that topic, if only because they have not traditionally been interpreted as applying to covetousness. Yet, even these sayings, given a bit more background, are clearly seen to fit the overall theme. That is not to say that that the traditional interpretations are necessarily wrong, for such is the multi-layered nature of scripture, that it behoves us to consider them as well.