Laying up treasures in heaven
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (KJV) Matthew 6:19-21
The kind of treasure to value is determined by its ultimate destiny. Notice that Jesus explains only two destinies for our treasures: “on earth” and “in heaven.” The first one, “treasures on earth,” is centred on that which finds its value only in relationship to the world. It points to the things that will pass away. The work of moths and rust give evidence of degeneration which affects all creation. Thieves display the tendency of the human heart for greedy and selfish purposes all evidence of sin. Storing your treasures on earth, therefore, leads to eternal loss. On the other hand, “treasures in heaven” cannot be affected by any act of sin or consequence of the fall. They point to those things that have a lasting value, that surpass the vital and remain forever. The treasure laid up in heaven is imperishable. No fire or flood can destroy it, no thief robs it, no moth or rust corrupts it; for it is in the keeping of God.
Undoubtedly, the heart follows where our treasure is (Matthew 6:21). The word “heart” is used for the whole inner man, the core of our total being, the source of all we do. So when Jesus speaks of “where your treasure is” He meant that the whole of our being is wrapped up in our treasures. The things we treasure actually govern our lives. What we value occupies our minds and grips our emotions. It is the theme and content of our conversation. It consumes our time with planning, day-dreaming, and energy to achieve. We must, therefore, choose our treasures wisely. It is a personal choice. No one can make that choice for another; each one of us has to make it ourselves and be held accountable for it (Joshua 24:15; Rev 22:17).
The way to lay up treasures in heaven is to develop Christ-like character. A character which is enhanced by actively spending time in personal devotions, prayer and bible study so that we can increase in faith, hope and charity, all of which Paul said “abide” (1 Corinthians 13:13). We also lay up treasures in heaven when we actively work towards the salvation of others.
Beloved, we should not hesitate in laying up treasures in heaven for the Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some may count slackness. But His longsuffering towards us that none should perish but that we all may come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9-10