Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 6:19

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal:" — Matthew 6:19 (ASV)

Lay not up for yourselves treasures, etc. Treasures, or wealth, among the ancients, consisted of clothes, or sets of garments, as well as gold, silver, gems, wine, lands, and oil. It meant an abundance of anything that was considered conducive to the adornment or comfort of life.

Since people of the East greatly delighted in display, in splendid belongings, and costly garments, their treasures, in fact, largely consisted of beautiful and richly ornamented articles of clothing. See Genesis 45:22, where Joseph gave his brothers changes of raiment; and Joshua 7:21, where Achan coveted and hid a goodly Babylonish garment.

See also Judges 14:12. This fact explains the use of the word moth.

When we speak of wealth, we immediately think of gold, silver, lands, and houses. However, when a Hebrew or a person from the East spoke of wealth, they first thought of what would create display, and included splendid articles of dress as an essential part.

The moth is a small insect that finds its way to clothes and garments and destroys them. The moth would destroy their clothing, and rust their silver and gold; thus, all their treasure would waste away.