Matthew 6:19-21
In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus said, “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, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
What does this mean, and how can we apply it to our lives?
First, we need to understand what Jesus meant by treasure. Treasure is not just money, but anything that we value, pursue, and enjoy the most. It could be our career, our reputation, our hobbies, or our passions. Treasure is what we love the most.
Jesus teaches us that we have a choice to make: we can store up our treasure on earth, or we can store up our treasure in heaven. He warned us that storing up our treasure on earth is foolish, risky, and harmful. It is foolish, because earthly treasures are temporary and uncertain. They can be destroyed by natural causes or stolen by other people. They can also distract us from God and his kingdom.
Earthly treasures reveal our hearts. Where we store our treasure shows where our heart is, and where our heart is influences how we think, feel, and act.
If our treasure is on earth, our hearts will be earthly. Our life will be worldly. If we love earthly treasures, we will seek them above all else, and neglect God.
Jesus is teaching us that storing up our treasure in heaven is wise.
When we give selflessly to others or support those in need, when we build a relationship with God through prayer and study, and when we cultivate love and forgiveness toward others, we are storing up treasures in heaven.
They who do so are wise.
Jesus is not teaching us that we cannot have a hobby or a career. He is warning us about misplacing our priorities. The spiritual person is the one who prioritizes spiritual things.
Lonnie Davis