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. (Matthew 6:19-21)

Based on this verse, Jesus is telling us to treasure things that are heavenly, not things that are earthly.

Treasure = If I had this one thing, it would be all worth it — I would be worth it.

—> What is that one thing for you?
—> What do you treasure?

Two indicators of what you treasure:

• How you spend your time.
• How you spend your money. (Or how you behave regarding money.)

Thinking about what your treasures are, ask yourself, Are my treasures earthly? or heavenly?

Some examples of heavenly treasures are:

1. God: spending time with Him, seeking His will and direction—remember Jesus’ two greatest commands!
2. People: investing into loving and valuing people echoes into eternity (John 13:34-35)
3. The Law: When we understand God’s heart, His commands are a delight because they bring good to us, bless others, and give Him glory. David was a “man after God’s heart” and despite breaking many of God’s commands, he loved His law!

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? (Matthew 16:25-26)

I picture myself at the end of my life, begging God (the One who has the power to give eternal life) for my soul. I would feel so foolish if I hadn’t invested in God, in people, in loving others, and put myself second—if instead I had tried to gain earthly treasures, things, money, praise, pride—only to forfeit my soul. Not to mention that the reward on earth—the reward for losing my life (putting myself second to others) is incredible blessings in Christ.

Finally, take a look at what Christ treasures:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of his who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

To gain His treasure, Christ died. Because for Him, anything would be worth saving you, and it was worth it. Knowing this will bring freedom and will begin to walk us toward storing up for ourselves heavenly treasures.

1:41 pm  •  5 September 2012