Heavenly Treasure
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” –Matthew 6:19-20a (NAS)
Before Jim Elliot was murdered by the Aouka Indians in Ecuador with whom he was trying to share Christ, he had written in his journal this now widely circulated saying: “He is no fool who gives that which he can not keep, in order to gain that which he cannot lose.”
Jesus would agree with Elliot’s words. In Matthew 6, He warns against accumulating possessions simply to greedily hoard them or spend them selfishly on undue extravagance. As those whom God expects not to love the world or anything in the world (1 John 2:15), we’re to expunge from our lives “greed, which is idolatry” (Col 3:5).
In the Ancient Orient, wealth was basically preserved in three ways: (1) garments (e.g., Judg 14:12), which could be destroyed by moths; (2) grain (e.g., Luke 12:18), which could be devoured by rodents, worms, and vermin (the word translated “rust” literally means “eating”); and (3) gold or precious metals, which thieves could steal. In other words, the Lord presents the totality of wealth as a passing commodity that we aren’t to stockpile. And even if they are preserved here, they can’t go with us into eternity (Luke 16:19-31). Have you ever seen a U-haul behind a hearse?!
Jesus does not advocate poverty. The one time He told a person to “sell your possessions and give to the poor” (Matt 19:21) was because that young man’s wealth was a barrier between him and the lordship of Christ. To honestly and prudently earn, save, invest, and spend is wise. But we can’t love or hoard the things of this world. Instead, we must hold them lightly, realizing that Heaven is the only safe place for our treasure. If our heart is there, our treasure will also be (Matt 6:21).
Paul tells Christians not“to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment…be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age” (1 Tim 6:17-19). Invest in eternity…send it ahead now!
For Discussion: Are you selfishly hoarding earthly possessions? What does God want you to do instead? What does your treasure say about your heart? What can you store in heaven this week?
