Lay Up Treasures ~ Matthew 6:19–21

Greed, there have been wars fought because of it. Entire people groups have been virtually wiped out because of it. Men have murdered, families have been torn apart, why? Because of greed. There seems to be no sin greater than greed by which Satan gets a hold of a soul more surer and faster. This is why Christ Jesus, having just warned us against coveting the praise of men, proceeded to warn us against coveting the wealth of the world.

Good afternoon and welcome to the Panhandle. Come on in sit a bit and let's do some Biblesurfing. Today we are going to look at what Christ Jesus had to say about treasure, so lets open our Bibles and get started. Today we will be in Matthew 6:19-21.

Matthew 6:19-21

19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

In all honesty gathering earthly treasures sounds like a good thing. I mean who really wants to be poor or to do without even the most basic of necessities? But the pursuit of earthly treasures is really not so great a thing on which to structure your philosophy of life. Earthly treasures may seem to offer long-range security, but does it really? In Christ Jesus' day there were no banks per-say, and no way to store clothes long term. Instead, the wealth largely was stored and hoarded in the home. Much of it consisted of costly changes of clothing, which were vulnerable to the attacks of moths. The word “Breakthrough” means penetrate burglariously or “to dig through,” the wall of the house, which was often only built of clay.

But theft and destruction of wealth is just one problem with the sin of greed. And earthly treasure is not only wealth (though that is its most striking exemplification), but everything lower than God Himself on which men set their hearts,—honor, fame, pleasure, ease, power, excitement, luxury.¹ Christ Jesus taught that one’s heart truly belongs to that which it most treasures. As a disciple, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.” (Matthew 22:37). To put the love for material possessions or anything else before God is a subtle form of idolatry ~ Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. (Colossians 3:5).²

So if Christ Jesus was emphasizing the fleeting value of worldly treasure, where are you suppose to find your treasure? Yours is a heavenly treasure. Yes, there is a reward for following righteousness; otherwise, we would find ourselves asking, “Why be good, why should I follow the path of righteousness?” You follow the path of righteousness because Christ Jesus has told you to do so. And because you do you receive a reward that is not material, or tangible, but is just as real; no more so that any earthly treasure. Some would say, “That sounds good, but what about right now?” Your heavenly treasure is not a someday, by and by treasure. There are benefits of your heavenly treasure available to you now. Benefits like peace of mind, a free and joyous spirit, the guidance and comfort of God the Holy Spirit and so much more. So while God may not always give you what you want, He will meet your every need. And if that isn't enough, God's kingdom is eternal, and as a kingdom member you share eternal life, with Eternal God.

So as I finish this I am reminded of a quote by Will Rogers, “I don't want to be a millionaire. But I wouldn't turn down the job if they gave it to me.” I can relate to that. Really though, I don't need anything the more than what the Lord has already given me. After all Christ Jesus, who is my Salvation is the greatest treasure ever and without Him everything else is worthless. You see the choices you make really do show where your treasure lies, and who your true master is.

Thanks for dropping by and may our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus bless you and yours.

Biblesurfer

1 Dummelow, J. R. (Ed.). (1936). A Commentary on the Holy Bible (p. 648). New York: The Macmillan Company.

2 Stein, R. H. (2017). Differences in the Gospels. In E. A. Blum & T. Wax (Eds.), CSB Study Bible: Notes (p. 1510). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.