Tesori in cielo (Mt 6,19-21)

The image of a treasure stored in heaven through almsgiving was frequently used in the Jewish literature of the second Temple period. Matthew used the metaphor more than any other author of the New Testament. The logion of Matt 6:19-21 presents signs of translation from a Semitic language. Most of them do not seem to be decisive but the atypical use of βρῶσις indicates that the text was probably translated from an Aramaic or Hebrew original. The logic of the logion certainly goes beyond a concept of social justice and can be accepted only through faith. In this aspect, Jesus has not changed the Jewish meaning of almsgiving or the value of trust in divine providence. He rather has taken these elements to the extreme so that the distribution of all goods to the poor becomes the safest and most profitable investment in this life.