Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

We put much thought into protecting and preserving whatever we consider valuable. For instance, many of us place a premium value on our academic certificates and official documents. We file them neatly and keep them in a safe place not reachable or accessible by anyone without our permission. I recall my first experience of an earth tremor; the building vibrated and the ground shook. We panicked and evacuated the building, but before we left, we grabbed our official identification documents and academic certificates. Even in a chaotic and uncertain situation, we considered these documents highly valuable and did not mind putting ourselves in harm’s way for a few extra seconds provided we could secure what we treasured. Perhaps, we understood these documents could give us another start to life if we lose everything else. What if you lost your life today, do you have a firm foundation of heavenly treasures towards eternal life? (1 Timothy 6:18-19, NIV).

Some of us lookout for the stock market or financial reports first thing when we wake and the last thing before we go to bed because of our investments. We read and seek information to make sure our investments or treasure is secure but we never pay attention to laying up heavenly treasures, we never invest in eternal rewards.  What you treasure doesn’t necessarily have to be something tangible, it could be your job, your profession, business, a sports team, relationship, your beauty, and so on. For instance, chances are that you can tell where the heart or a person is when you look through their browser history, digital footprints, and electronic devices. You can tell what people really treasure by the kind of conversations they entertain or initiate.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”. – Matthew 6:19-21, NIV

Earthly treasures are not a problem in themselves, the problem is that they do not last and so it is a waste of time and effort storing them. They appeal to the flesh, and we are to walk by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of our flesh (Galatians 5:16). You can spend your life expanding your knowledge of the football team you so much treasure, you can buy all their souvenirs, visit the home stadium, feature on their fan television and have their big stars or legends sign their autographs on their jersey for you, but all that will end on this earth. What or where you invest your heart, time and effort is your treasure whether you believe it or not. Jesus commanded us to store up treasures in heaven, in other words, He commanded us to place more value on God and things that will be eternally rewarding. Earthly treasures will bring temporary happiness but heavenly treasures will bring joy now and eternally. Don’t invest so much time and effort in temporal things of this world that you forget to invest your time living a life worthy of the gospel. No matter how much effort you put into protecting your treasure, they won’t leave this earth with you even if they are buried with you (1 Timothy 6:7). There are certificates and laurels of great achievers being destroyed by dust and insects in cupboards, old castles, and museums because their owners have since left this world. As you bag all those degrees and professional achievements, always remember that someday they won’t be able to speak for you, your heavenly rewards will speak for you. Heavenly treasures can’t be destroyed by fire, flood or economic recession but earthly treasures will become invalid someday. 

Earthly treasures will bring temporary happiness but heavenly treasures will bring joy now and eternally. Don’t invest so much time and effort in temporal things of this world that you forget to invest your time living a life worthy of the gospel.

How do we lay up treasures in Heaven?

One area of your life you need to jealously guard if you want to lay up heavenly treasures is your heart. Jesus said “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven”, implying that you have to do the work because the treasure is for you. Storing up treasures for yourself begins from your heart. I grew up hearing my Dad say “you should be the CSO (chief security officer) of your heart”. What thoughts do you allow into your heart? Whatever occupies your heart dictates your emotions, conversations and actions.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. — Colossians 3:1-2

When we are conscious of our relationship with Christ, we naturally set our minds to things above where Christ is. When we identify with the death and resurrection of Christ, we become equipped to seek the things above, and the character of Christ becomes our example. When the character of Christ is our example, we live a life that is holy and blameless without any spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5). A heart that doesn’t identify with the death and resurrection of Christ cannot lay-up treasures in heaven.  A heart like that will only be concerned about earthly things. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8, NIV). A heart that meditates on falsehood, ignobility, unrighteousness, iniquity, and hate cannot lay-up treasures in heaven.

A practical way to lay-up treasures in heaven is to use the resources we have been graced to acquire or receive for the good of God’s creation and for His work. 1 Timothy 6:17-19; “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life”.

We should do good with our earthly treasures, we should use them responsibly. We are not supposed to be proud or be dependent on our riches or wealth because they will fade away (See Let’s Learn from King Solomon). Whatever we have comes from God, rather than trust in them, we are to trust God. We should not just have riches but we should also be rich in good works, by this we are laying hold on eternal life. Be willing to share what you have for kingdom advancement (i.e. your local church), give to those in need, support causes and organizations bringing succor and relief to the less privileged out there. 

Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. — Luke 12:15.

Where is your heart? What do you treasure? Do you think of eternal life? Are you only concerned about things of this world? Does the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ mean anything to you beyond this world? (1 Corinthians 15:19)

Prayer : Dear Lord, we pray that our hearts will be focused on you and the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. We pray that we will not be immersed in the struggle for riches in this world that we forget eternity. Help us to lay up treasures in heaven and give us the grace to teach others to do so. Amen.