STORE UP TREASURES IN HEAVEN

Proclamation:

“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 moth and rust 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)

Explanation:

The Apostle Matthew recorded these words, which were part of The Sermon on The Mount which Jesus spoke to His disciples, and to the surrounding crowd.  Jesus said that man should not store up treasures here on earth, but rather he should store up treasures in heaven.  Then He told them that their heart and focus will be where ever their treasure is located.

Application:

Our treasures are the things that we value, cherish, esteem, desire, love, and delight in having.  Earthly treasures are only ours temporarily.  It does not matter how we protect them or how much we amass and store up, they will not last and they are not secure.  If our purpose for storing up treasures on earth is to prepare for our future benefit and enjoyment, then we ought to be smart enough to prepare for our eternal future.  The point of these verses is that we should not put our faith in money and things that are here on earth.  We are to use our time, talents, and treasure in kingdom building efforts, which have eternal implications.  Believers do not earn their salvation, but by their behavior they can earn heavenly rewards. (Matthew 5:11-12, 10:41 and 16:27; 1 Corinthians 3:13-14, and Revelation 22:12)  Where our treasure is, that is where our focus is also.  We should focus on that which is Christ-like and heavenly. (Philippians 4:8)  If we focus only on earthly things, at the end of our lives all will be lost.  We need to focus on our eternal life and store up treasures for ourselves in heaven.