Another Man’s Treasure - April 7

Read Matthew 6:19-21

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Reflect

What do you treasure most? How does that compare to what your neighbors seem to treasure?

I read an article once about money management from a biblical worldview. Among other financial tips, it encouraged giving generously to your church. After I read the article, I scrolled through the comments. I recall reading a comment that considered giving to your local church a “waste of hard earned money.” I thought, wow, that person just doesn’t get it.

We’ve all heard the saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” and it’s true. We don’t all value or appreciate the same things. I realized that the person who commented on that article likely has a very different worldview than most Christians.

It makes sense. After all, if you think this life is all there is, then you want to make the absolute best of this life. That’s why people throw around mantras like: YOLO (You Only Live Once). You don’t want to give away your hard earned money. You want to enjoy it and spend it all on yourself. But what earthly good would it do if you gave 10% or more of your income to a church?

On the other hand, Bible-believing Christians understand that this world isn’t all there is. In fact, this life may be represented by a tiny little dash between our birthdate and the date of our death. But the next life is represented by a never-ending line stretching out into infinity.

That’s why, in today’s verses, Jesus told his followers not to store up treasures for themselves here on earth but rather in heaven. He warned that here on earth, treasure is temporary. All those clothes you have hanging in your closet? They are likely to get moth-eaten. Your brand-new fancy car? Well, the value of that vehicle depreciates the moment you drive it off the lot. Plus, it’s prone to rust and wrecks. For many of us, our biggest investment is our home. It’s terrifying to think about just how quickly something that took so long to build and means so much to us can be torn down and destroyed. All of your other valuables? These are vulnerable to loss and theft.

It’s not necessarily a sin to have nice things down here on earth and people who work hard tend to reap the reward of being able to afford some nice things. But Jesus warned us not to make earthly possessions the treasure of our hearts. After all, we only get to enjoy them during the tiny little dash on our headstone.

Rather, Jesus advised that we store up treasures in heaven where they are safe and sound for all eternity. But what does that mean? How do you make deposits of treasure into heaven from down here?

Looking at Luke 12:32-34 sheds some light on this: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.”

In other words, live generously here on earth and don’t be consumed with your money. Jesus goes on to say in Matthew 6 verse 24: “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

We all treasure something but we don’t all treasure the same thing. Non-believers may put a lot of stock in worldly treasure but that should not be said of us. Christians should be busy about our Father’s business here, not totally preoccupied with our finances. We own our money, but it shouldn’t own us.

Respond

Lord, thank You for the promise of treasure in heaven that far exceeds anything we could ever amass for ourselves here on earth. But I confess that I often get caught up in the pursuit of worldly treasure, serving money instead of You. Help me to cherish eternal treasure far more than worldly treasure. You are the ultimate treasure of my heart. Amen.

Reveal

Prayerfully consider how you can reveal the treasure of your heart—Jesus—to someone else today.