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 neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21
What lasts?
New car? No.
I just purchased a new car. From the original negotiations to getting home with my new toy took a little over a week. There are several new technologies to learn, and a completely different feel to get used to (SUV after a lifetime of compact sedans). But it’s a good bet that by the end of a month, I’ll just get in the car and go…without thinking “new”.
New home? No.
A friend has just purchased a new house. They have been shopping, negotiating, financing, and packing for the past two or three months. They moved in just this week. That is much more exciting than my car. But still, by this time next year the new house will just be “home”.
Illness? No.
A relative is struggling with some pretty severe health issues. They have been going on for a year, and seem to have no end in sight. But, if the ongoing tests eventually find a solution, she will look back on this time as “past”. If they don’t, even if the problem lasts for the rest of her life, in 100 years she will look back from Heaven and the time will still be “past”.
Egyptian pharaohs? No.
Ancient Egyptian dynasties ruled for over 2500 years, from about 3100 B.C. until conquered by Alexander the Great in 300 B.C. 1 . Now, another 2500 years later, no one is asking a pharaoh for their opinions!
The Roman Empire? No.
From 752 B.C. until 476 A.D. 2, the Roman Empire was the world’s powerhouse. At its peak, it controlled over three million square miles, and an estimated 60 million people (about 20% of the entire world population). It gave us much of our current Western culture. But it fell victim to both internal and external threats, and no longer exists as a political entity.
The United States? No.
The United States does still exist. It is a baby compared to Egypt or Rome, only 250 years old as a nation. Will it continue to exist 1000 years from now? 2000 years? 5000? History suggests not.
Jesus? YES!
Now we turn to Jesus, and to His kingdom. It will exist literally forever. That is difficult for us to comprehend: infinite, un-ending existence. But it makes sense when we realize that it is under the control of the God who created Time itself.
We’ve all heard the saying “You can’t take it with you.” I recently heard an addendum: “But you can send it on ahead!”
That addendum is saying that what we do in this life to grow in relationship to God is a treasure that won’t fade. The new won’t wear off. It won’t go out of style. Its value won’t depreciate; in fact, it will continue to appreciate and become ever more valuable. Doesn’t it make sense to spare some attention and energy for that kind of treasure, as opposed to rusty, disintegrating things?
How to store up heavenly treasure?
Live in relationship with Jesus.
The first step to building heavenly treasure is to meet the One who provides it. Then, after the initial relationship is established, continue to nourish it daily. Learn more and more about your Savior, and grow in appreciation of all that He is. Follow Him; act like Him; obey Him. Go to Him with your joys and sorrows, and accept His joy and His comfort.
Share the news.
A great treasure in Heaven will be the ones we bring with us. Each person who is there because of our influence is worth more than any fortune. Christian artist Ray Boltz has a song simply titled “Thank You“. It describes a new arrival in Heaven being greeted by a long line of people who say “Thank you for giving to the Lord. You’re the reason I’m here today.” What a treasure!
Share the love.
Jesus said that whatever we do for “the least of these” (Matthew 25:31-40), we do for Him. Each act of service, no matter how small and insignificant it seems at the time, is another coin in our Heavenly treasure chest.
Share this world’s treasure.
If we have treasure waiting in Heaven, we can relax our grip on earthly wealth, along with its fame and glory. We can recognize the difference between necessities and luxuries. Then we can realize that very few things we covet are really necessary. We can trust God to provide what we really need (Luke 12:22-32), and use our time, energy and funds to benefit those He loves all around us.
Bottom Line
When I look back at my actions and realize how much they are focussed on myself, on the here and now, I cringe. Am I going to get to Heaven and have only a little coin purse to my name — available to offer to Jesus in worship (Revelation 4:9-11) — while others have great chests of treasure? I pray that I grow into making wiser investments!
Footnotes and Scripture References
- See timeline here.
- And on until 1453 A.D. for the Eastern portion, the Byzantine Empire.