How are Your Eyes?

 Devotion: How Are Your Eyes Today?

“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light…” —Matthew 6:22 (ESV)

One of the most enriching and humbling discoveries in my walk with Christ has been learning how deeply Jewish the Bible is. The New Testament, written by first-century Jews (with perhaps one exception), is soaked in the language, imagery, and idioms of their culture. And sometimes, when we miss that context, we misread the meaning.

Take Matthew 6:22–23. I used to think Jesus was simply referring to perspective or moral clarity. But through study, I came to understand that this was a Jewish idiom. A “good” or “single” eye meant someone was generous; an “evil” eye described someone stingy or selfish. Jesus wasn’t changing subjects when He spoke about serving God or money—He was building a bridge. Generosity or stinginess reveals where our allegiance truly lies.

This realization convicted me. For years, I tried to give from a place of comfort rather than sacrifice. My giving—whether of money, time, or attention—was calculated. It was the leftover, not the firstfruit. But if my “eye” reveals what’s truly lighting up my life, what did that say about my heart?

That small shift in understanding helped me see how important worldview really is when interpreting Scripture. Not only do we gain better clarity, but we find deeper meaning in Jesus’ words. They pierce the heart, not just inform the mind.

Contemplation:

• Is your “eye” full of light—marked by generosity and open-heartedness—or have you been living with a stingy spirit?

• Are you trying to serve two masters, clinging to both the comforts of material security and the calling of God?

• How might developing a better understanding of the biblical context and worldview help you live more faithfully?

Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for Your Word, and for the wisdom and beauty that lies within it. Forgive me for the times I’ve misread or misunderstood Your truth through the lens of my own culture and assumptions. Teach me to see the Scriptures through the eyes of those You inspired to write them—rooted in Your history, promises, and grace.
Help me to have a good eye—a generous spirit that reflects Your heart. Strip away my attachment to the things of this world, especially the lure of money and possessions. Let me serve You with an undivided heart. May my life be filled with light as I give freely, love openly, and trust fully.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.