Treasure in heaven

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.   Matthew 6:21

Jesus was teaching the crowd about right living when he spoke these words and he encouraged them not to store up treasure on earth but to store up treasure in heaven.  If our treasure is here on earth not only can rust and moth destroy it and thieves steal it but this also will be where our hearts are.  Paul told us to ‘set our minds on things above not on earthly things’ (Colossians 3:2). Remember the parable of the rich fool who stored up his treasure on earth thinking he could spend years enjoying it.  That night he died and all his treasure was left behind. What good was it to him then? 

One of the greatest deceptions in the western world is the belief that money and possessions equal happiness.  Most people are constantly pursuing greater amounts of wealth to fuel an ever increasing and expensive life style. Even the richest people on the earth do not think they have enough!   

‘Whoever loves money never has money enough

Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income’   Ecclesiastes 5: 10

Jesus and the writers of the New Testament as well as Solomon, one of the wealthiest men ever, warn us again and again that wealth and possessions do not bring happiness.  Contentment in what we have brings happiness and a deep trust that God will happily be our provider for everything we need and usually a lot more besides.  God does not want his children poor, needy and in debt.  He wants his children content, generous and thankful people.

The writer of Hebrews says, ‘Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have because God has said, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you”’ (Hebrews 13:5).  The people who are most content are those who enjoy what they have and are thankful.  They know God will look after them and they are generous.  Acts of kindness, love and generosity store up true treasure in heaven. We cannot take our earthly possessions with us when we die but we can ensure there is an eternal treasure in heaven waiting for us. 

Let us resolve today to be content, to be thankful and to be generous.  No matter how little you have you can always give – remember the widow and her small coin?  God is not mean, he is a lavish generous giver to those who love and trust him.  Instead of seeking wealth and possessions, let us be storing up true treasure in heaven.